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The future of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford is still uncertain, with the season review by the United management board still ongoing. Despite a decision expected to be declared last week, no such announcement has been made with the Dutchman stuck in limbo.
With there being much speculation over if ten Hag is still fit for the role following a troublesome season which saw the Red Devils place in eighth, their worst finish since 1990, a shortlist of potential replacements was drawn up.
Although the list of potential new managers has been regularly changing, the main names linked over the recent weeks have been Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Roberto de Zerbi.
Ten Hag’s time at United over the last two years has been a rollercoaster, with the poor performances over the last year and a plague of injuries, yet he’s also had great highs with winning two trophies in two years with the English League Cup and FA Cup.
With the decision being made around ten Hag still ongoing, little activity has been seen by United in the transfer market. Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial already having left the club, and only two signings have been made in the form of Silva Mexes and James Overy.
According to The Telegraph, ten Hag has voiced frustration over the lack of decision on his job which has a knock on to transfer plans.
The Dutchman is fearful that this could put them behind preparations for next year by being on the back foot for any transfer targets.
Ten Hag met with INEOS before his holiday after the FA Cup final, with the focus of the meeting being on potential signings and sales, although it’s thought that no transfer plan was agreed.
However, The Guardian has now reported that United are confident they can have a successful summer transfer window separately to the situation with ten Hag. The primary reason for this confidence an the separation between management decisions and transfer activity is the change in structure implemented by Sir Jim Ratcliffe since his purchase of 27 per cent of the Premier League club.
The new technical director James Wilcox has been heading up the recruitment department whilst awaiting Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada’s arrival at Old Trafford as new football director and CEO respectively. Berrada is due to start on 13th July, leaving six weeks of transfer activity until the window shuts, giving the Red Devils confidence in the deals they’ll be able to pull off in this time.
