The recent sacking of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United came as a shock after a disappointing defeat against West Ham.

This loss, combined with crucial discussions with Ineos executives, marked the end of his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford.

While Ten Hag brought home both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, his league performance failed to meet expectations, culminating in an eighth-place finish in his final season.

Frustration with Summer Recruitment

Emerging reports indicate that Ten Hag had reservations about one of the summer signings, Joshua Zirkzee.

The young forward, acquired for £36.5 million, reportedly arrived at the club significantly overweight, leading to mounting frustration for the Dutch coach.

According to The Sun, Ten Hag’s initial doubts about Zirkzee were validated when the player struggled to meet fitness standards.

Since transferring from Bologna, Zirkzee has only managed to score once in the Premier League—an opening-day goal against Fulham—and has failed to regain his form.

Consequently, he lost his starting position and hasn’t featured in the league since a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at the end of September.

Missed Opportunities in the Transfer Market

As Ten Hag faced growing pressures, he reportedly sought to strengthen his squad by targeting familiar faces.

It was revealed that he had an interest in signing Danny Welbeck from Brighton, a former United player, to rejuvenate his underperforming attack.

Welbeck’s contract, set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season, presented a potential opportunity for a free transfer back to Old Trafford.

However, uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future—initially resolved with a two-year contract extension—ultimately dashed hopes for this move.

Discontent with Club Leadership

Beyond player fitness and recruitment, Ten Hag expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s failure to land key targets.

Reports from ESPN highlight his disappointment over the inability to secure signings such as Frenkie de Jong, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Valverde, and Harry Kane.

United’s management deemed his requests unrealistic, complicating the team’s efforts to improve.

As the club moves forward, Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim has emerged as a potential successor to Ten Hag, raising questions about the future direction of Manchester United.

Looking Ahead

With Ten Hag’s exit marking a significant chapter in Manchester United’s ongoing saga, fans and analysts are left pondering the club’s next steps.

How will the new leadership approach the challenges ahead? The answer remains to be seen as the club navigates this transitional phase.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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