Today marks 10 years since Manchester United sacked David Moyes - but few fans could imagine they’d still be looking for the long-term successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Since Moyes was axed on April 22, 2014, just 10 months into a six-year contract at Old Trafford, five managers have been given a shot. Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick have all tried and failed while the jury is definitely still out on current incumbent Erik ten Hag.
Sunday's humiliating FA Cup debacle against Coventry, when the Red Devils rabble squandered a 3-0 lead against the Championship opponents and only won the bizarre semi-final on penalties, was just the latest of a long line of wretched displays under the Dutchman’s watch. Ever since billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a substantial stake in the Red Devils last December, there has been question marks over whether Ten Hag will be given the boot.
READ MORE: Man Utd have already decided when they'll sack Erik ten Hag, says Alan Shearer
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SkySince then they have finished bottom of their Champions League group for the first time and are so far off the pace in the Premier League that success-starved fans can only dream of glory again. Struggling to make any sort of mark in seventh spot, and with a succession of limp, disorganised and incompetent displays, speculation is growing that it could soon be the end of the road for the ex-Ajax chief.
But after a decade of hiring and firing bad managerial appointments, how does Ratcliffe set about ensuring he breaks the cycle if he does decide to act? With so many players under-performing at Old Trafford, it seems there’s a need for a real clear-out in the summer.
That’s not as easy as it sounds but, if United do move to shake things up with yet another manager, that next recruitment stage will be crucial for whoever comes in. However, they have to make the right appointment as, with every barren year that passes, the famous club is in danger of becoming stuck in a rut they could struggle to ever emerge from.
Has Ten Hag reached the end of his tenure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
It is easy to see why England manager Gareth Southgate is being touted as the favourite to get the nod if Ratcliffe does give Ten Hag the bullet. It is not just because of the relative success he has had with the national side, getting them to their only major final since the 1966 World Cup.
But it’s probably more because of that positive and healthy culture he has created within that England ranks. Southgate has helped instil humility and respect in his squad where standards are set high and work to maintain them is key.
A cursory glance at Manchester United on Sunday showed a squad with many players lacking many of those rudimentary qualities. The embarrassing Antony running off and cupping his ears to the crestfallen Coventry players after Rasmus Hojlund struck the winning penalty?
Hojlund himself wildly celebrating as if United had won the Champions League rather than scrape past a second-tier team who had out-played them for huge chunks of the 120 minutes previously. Or, perhaps worst of all, keeper Andre Onana blatantly trying to put off Ben Sheaf [rightly earning a booking] before the Coventry player blazed his spot-kick over the bar. Pathetic.
There’s too many players showing these sorts of unedifying characteristics in this United side and someone needs to stamp them out. Thankfully, at least Harry Maguire showed true sportsmanship, heading directly to the disconsolate Coventry players to shake their hands. Standards. Humility.
It’s no surprise he’s been such a mainstay of those Southgate England squads. Whatever Ratcliffe does next, he has to make sure the next manager who comes in sorts those standards.
Getting the right man in is critical. But even then it’s only the beginning: the chasm between this United side and Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal is growing by the day. And, let’s not forget, Moyes was sacked when sat in seventh 10 years ago.
