Manchester United had their worst Premier League season last year, but the club still trusts Erik ten Hag as their manager.
After winning the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Wembley, the United board hopes Ten Hag’s team can improve this season and silence their critics.
A View Into Last Season
United fans won’t dwell on last season, even though the club won a trophy for the second year in a row. They had their worst top-flight season since 1990, finishing eighth, three points behind Chelsea and eight points behind Aston Villa, who secured fourth place and a Champions League spot.
Ten Hag often pointed to the team’s long injury list, and with 45 injuries recorded, he had a valid excuse. Off the pitch, Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a share in the club and took control of football matters, with him and Sir David Brailsford now trying to steer the club back on track.
The Manager
Ten Hag has been in charge since summer 2022 after a successful four-and-a-half years at Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles and two Dutch Cups. He has already won the EFL Cup and FA Cup with United but still faces pressure this season.
Some fans wanted a change, but Ten Hag has kept his job and signed a new one-year deal, despite reports that Thomas Frank, Gareth Southgate, and Graham Potter were potential candidates.
Transfers
With a new structure in place, United has been more measured in the transfer market, with Brailsford, Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, and Dan Ashworth overseeing transfers.
Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee have joined, while Mason Greenwood, Willy Kambwala, Alvaro Carreras, Donny van de Beek, Raphael Varane, Brandon Williams, and Anthony Martial have left. Unfortunately, Yoro has since suffered a significant injury, but fans are pleased to see more thoughtful transfer decisions.
Strengths and Weaknesses
It’s hard to say if Ten Hag has fixed United’s issues after a few weeks of pre-season. Their defense was a major problem last season, often getting exposed even against weaker teams. By April, United had faced more shots than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.
The squad also lacked depth, which became clear with the frequent injuries last season. However, United’s key players are young and talented, with the potential to achieve something special. Kobbie Mainoo has been impressive in midfield, striker Rasmus Hojlund is improving, and Bruno Fernandes remains one of the best-attacking midfielders in Europe.
The additions of Zirkzee and Yoro show that United is planning for the future, easing some fears among fans.
Best Bet
While there are doubts about Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Tottenham’s chances of finishing in the top four, United’s defensive issues won’t be fixed overnight, especially with only one new defender this summer. United should improve overall, but aiming for a top-six finish is a safer bet, considering they also have a European campaign to manage.
