According to Roy Keane, there is a possibility that Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, could face termination within the upcoming months.
Roy Keane has raised doubts about the future of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag at the club, following the gaffer’s commendation of the team’s new stakeholder, Jim Ratcliffe, after their victory against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.
Erik Ten Hag’s tenure as Manchester United manager may be coming to an end, according to Roy Keane. Keane expressed his disappointment with United’s performance against Wigan Athletic. However, United managed to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup. This win provided a much-needed respite for manager Erik ten Hag amidst the club’s struggling Premier League campaign. Goals from Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, both from Portugal, propelled United to the next round of the FA Cup, which represents their final chance at winning a trophy this season.
During the press conference held after the match, Ten Hag expressed his admiration for Jim Ratcliffe, the recently acquired 25% stakeholder, and commended the club’s long-term project. Ten Hag described it as inspiring, highlighting the optimism that permeates throughout the team.
However, Roy Keane, the former captain of Manchester United, believes that Ten Hag’s recent comments may indicate that he is nearing the end of his tenure as the club’s manager. During a post-match analysis on Sky Sports, Keane expressed his disappointment with United’s performance against Wigan Athletic and did not hold back in criticizing the club.
According to Keane, the unpredictability of United is a major issue. He jokingly mentioned that when you show up, you never know what you’re going to get. He also suggested that the manager’s mention of a project could imply that he will be departing in the coming months.
It is worth noting that in December 2023, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe officially acquired a 25% stake in Manchester United for $1.6 billion. Along with this acquisition, Ratcliffe also took charge of the club’s footballing activities. Since the announcement, the entire United fanbase, including the players and management staff, has been hopeful for a positive turnaround.
Manchester United currently find themselves in eighth place in the Premier League standings, trailing fourth-placed Arsenal by a margin of nine points. The season for United has been nothing short of disappointing and filled with numerous setbacks. Their early exit from both the UEFA Champions League and Carabao Cup only added to their woes.
A significant portion of United fans attribute their unproductive season to Ten Hag’s management style and various issues within the dressing room. Roy Keane believes that the Dutchman is well aware of the precariousness of his position as the club’s boss.
Even in their victories, Roy Keane pointed out that Manchester United failed to meet expectations and lacked the necessary efficiency in converting goals, particularly against smaller teams.
Considering Ratcliffe’s plans to invest in United’s future football activities, it is not out of the question to contemplate a managerial change, given the club’s history of frequently switching managers.
