(4-3-3) New Manchester United formation due to the arrival of Van Nistelrooy as the new coach – INEOS decision finally made
Manchester United’s leadership has expressed strong support for manager Erik ten Hag, despite a disappointing start to the season. With the team managing only two goals in three matches and sitting 14th in the Premier League table after two losses, ten Hag finds himself under early scrutiny. However, new leadership figures, including Chief Executive Omar Berrada and Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, have made it clear that they are standing behind the Dutch manager.
Omar Berrada, who was hired by Ineos earlier this year and officially started his role in July, has firmly reiterated his confidence in ten Hag’s leadership. In an interview released just before United’s match against Liverpool, Berrada stated, “We’re very happy with the decision to extend Erik’s contract. He has our full backing, and we’ve worked closely with him throughout the transfer window. We plan to continue supporting him to achieve the best possible results for the team.”
Berrada emphasized that ten Hag has the unwavering support of the club’s management, and they remain committed to helping him succeed. “Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely,” Berrada affirmed. “He is the right coach for Manchester United, and we’re fully behind him.”
Dan Ashworth, who also started his position as Sporting Director in July, echoed these sentiments. In his brief time working with ten Hag, Ashworth has been impressed with the manager’s approach and dedication. He stated, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Erik over the past eight weeks. My role is to provide support in every possible way, whether that’s in terms of operations, recruitment, medical, psychological support, or even managing training ground logistics. My goal is to take as much off his plate as possible so that he can focus entirely on training and tactical planning to drive the team’s success.”
It’s important to note that both Berrada and Ashworth’s comments were made before Manchester United’s defeat to Liverpool. While the timing of the release might raise questions, the management’s message is clear: their support for ten Hag remains intact, even after setbacks. It was a significant decision to retain him over the summer, and they are not planning to reverse course after just a few games into the new season, no matter the outcome of those games.
However, while ten Hag continues to enjoy full backing from the club’s leadership, the reality is that he must deliver better results. Now in his third season as United’s manager, ten Hag is expected to build on his previous campaigns and improve on last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish. While his two trophy wins last season are notable achievements, fans are growing impatient and want to see continuous progress, particularly in the league.
The early signs this season have been concerning, with the team struggling to find the back of the net and making basic defensive mistakes. Despite these issues, the season is still young, and United’s new signings, including Manuel Ugarte, who has yet to make his debut after signing on deadline day, need time to settle into the squad. There are still 35 league games to go, and ten Hag has time to turn things around.
Nevertheless, ten Hag cannot afford to rely too heavily on the public support from Berrada and Ashworth. If they are forced to repeatedly reaffirm their backing, it may become tiresome for them, and patience could eventually wear thin. The next five fixtures may offer ten Hag an opportunity to rebuild confidence, but there are no guarantees in football. The pressure will remain, and both the fans and the board will expect improvement soon.
