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Former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan has indicated that Erik ten Hag hasn’t done enough to warrant being afforded more time in the Old Trafford dugout.
Ten Hag oversaw a very disappointing and underwhelming campaign that saw United finish in eighth position in the Premier, their lowest-ever finish since 1989/90.
However, the Red Devils ended their campaign on a relatively more positive note as they beat Manchester City at Wembley last weekend to lift the FA Cup.
Against Pep Guardiola’s men, Ten Hag implemented a near-flawless tactical plan that City simply had no answer for. This led to people questioning why the Dutchman didn’t resort to such a compact style of play earlier when there was a chance to salvage the season.
United are currently undertaking an end-of-season review that’s expected to determine Ten Hag’s fate.
However, according to Phelan, who served as an assistant under both Sir Alex Ferguson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the end could be imminent for Ten Hah.
Phelan said on talkSPORT, “Past regimes I would have said he would have been gone. Yes the ownership is still there but I think this new regime is looking for continuity. I think that’s a different attitude, whether that gives Ten Hag the opportunity to go again, I’m not sure.”
When pressed by Simon Jordan to say whether Ten Hag’s work merits another go, Phelan replied, “No I don’t.”
He further stated, “He won the FA Cup out of the blue I think nobody expecting it, playing in a style he should have thought about a little bit earlier in the season.”
“This season you can’t say anything other than it’s been very disappointing. Not just the performances look at the stats, the stats tell you everything, goals conceded, goals scored even, it’s been unusual.”
In terms of injuries being used as an excuse for Ten Hag, Phelan remarked, “Lots of examples of players being unavailable but it’s Manchester United at the end of the day, you get on with it, you set your stall out, and I think that’s come up a bit short.”
The 61-year-old called on the club’s executives to make a decision on Ten Hag quickly so as to allow whoever will be in the dugout from next season to get going, with Euro 2024 and the summer transfer window on the horizon.
According to Phelan, it’s important that United rediscover their true selves as soon as possible. He explained that the culture that made the 20-time English champions so successful is still there but it’s up to everyone to work towards restoring it in its entirety once again.
He said that while there’s still many good people working at United that have the club’s best interests at heart, there’s a “new breed” of individuals that are only looking out for themselves. He didn’t mention any names.
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