Imagine walking into the boardroom at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. On the table, you spot a striking red leather-bound opus.
Today, it’s open to a page featuring an old interview with Ruud van Nistelrooy, taken shortly after he joined the club in 2001.
While it may seem like a mere coincidence, some might speculate whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his management team are preparing for a potential managerial change, considering Van Nistelrooy recently returned as assistant manager.
But despite this, there’s no immediate intention of parting ways with Erik ten Hag.
Standing by Ten Hag
During a recent conversation with the club’s new chief executive, Omar Berrada, and sporting director, Dan Ashworth, it became clear that Ten Hag has the full backing of the hierarchy, even though the season has started on a shaky note.
A framed picture of the manager leading his team out of the Old Trafford tunnel hangs proudly in the corridor, symbolizing the club’s confidence in him.
When asked whether the club would continue to support Ten Hag after a loss to Liverpool, Berrada didn’t hesitate.
“Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely,” he affirmed.
Despite a crushing 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, the club remains committed to Ten Hag, with no intention of making knee-jerk decisions based on a few early setbacks.
Building Optimism Amidst Challenges
The loss to Liverpool may have dampened the summer optimism following United’s £200 million squad overhaul, but there is still hope.
The club brought in players like Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, and Noussair Mazraoui.
Although it’s not the start the club wanted, Berrada remains optimistic about the future, viewing the transfer window as a positive step forward.
In his first interview as United’s chief, Berrada expressed confidence, saying, “We’re starting to put the right pieces in place, and I’m convinced we’re going to be successful.”
His experience working at Manchester City provides him with a strong foundation for understanding what it takes to build a winning formula.
Long-Term Vision
When asked how long it might take for United to return to the top, Berrada was cautious.
“It’s almost impossible to put a timescale on that,” he explained.
Success in football, he emphasized, comes from consistently making good decisions over many years, ensuring the right coach, players, and structure are in place.
United’s recent transfer activity reflects this approach, with a focus on financial sustainability and careful decision-making.
The club prioritized strengthening key positions and avoided overspending, ensuring that each addition to the squad was the right fit.
Strengthening the Squad
Ashworth, who joined the club this summer, is also pleased with the transfer window.
While acknowledging that no window is ever perfect, he believes United addressed their key priorities by signing players like Zirkzee, Ugarte, Yoro, and De Ligt.
Ashworth emphasized that the decisions were made collaboratively, with Ten Hag playing an integral role in shaping the squad.
Ten Hag, who was handed a contract extension in the summer, retained his veto power over signings.
Notably, several of the new additions had worked with him previously, a natural outcome of his familiarity with certain players.
Balancing the Books
United also focused on trimming the squad, with 27 players leaving the club either permanently or on loan.
Among them were big names like Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho.
While difficult decisions were made, Ashworth highlighted the importance of managing squad size to avoid potential issues.
Financial regulations required United to sell before buying, leading to some tough choices.
Ashworth pointed out that changes in the rules have made it necessary for clubs to generate revenue to reinvest in the squad.
The Road Ahead
Despite the challenges, United remains committed to retaining its top talent, with new contracts given to players like captain Bruno Fernandes.
Ultimately, though, it’s Ten Hag’s contract extension that will face the most scrutiny if results don’t improve.
As the international break looms, Ten Hag must wait to work with his new signings on the training ground.
United’s next fixture against Southampton presents an opportunity for a much-needed win, but the pressure is on.
For now, United stands firmly behind Ten Hag, hoping their patience and support will pay off in the long run.
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