As the dust settles on Manchester United’s stunning FA Cup win over Manchester City, Red Devils fans woke up on Sunday with the question over manager Erik Ten Hag’s future back in the Premier League 2024 news.
The teenage duo of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored first-half goals to put the cup favourites on the back foot, and when the Sky Blues launched a second-half onslaught the United defence stood firm and, with a little help from the woodwork, they held on for a dramatic 2-1 victory.
After a six-year silverware drought manager Erik Ten Hag has now delivered two trophies in his two seasons at Old Trafford but, as the Premier League Manager Merry-Go-Round gets into full swing his position at the club is anything but certain. Manchester United’s new investor, the Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe, has been reported to be looking for a replacement for the Dutchman and the club has been strongly linked with Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, formerly a coach at Old Trafford, and ex-Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Ratcliffe declined to answer questions over the manager’s position in the wake of the FA Cup triumph but former Ajax boss Ten Hag was happy to do an interview and he was in no mood to pull any punches when he was asked about his future, saying: “if they don’t want me anymore, I go somewhere else and win trophies, that’s what I’ve done my whole career.”
He has a point; while Manchester United had not opened their trophy cabinet since 2017 before his arrival, Ten Hag had picked up six trophies with Ajax, also leading his side to the Champions League semi-final, a height that Red Devils fans could only dream of.
But, on the other hand, he has just presided over Manchester United’s worst league campaign in 30 years and, despite the joy of beating City in the FA Cup final they are still light years behind their neighbours.
United’s experienced centre-back Jonny Evans has entered the discussion saying: “On a personal level he’s been amazing for me. I can only thank him for that. I have a good relationship with him so I hope he stays.”
But Ratcliffe, a United fan, is clearly trying to make his mark at the club and Ten Hag could still be a casualty. The outcome will clearly split opinion among United fans and, for what it’s worth, I think the club should stick with their man.
Guardiola prepares to strengthen
So Premier League Champions Manchester City have spurned their chance to achieve a ‘double treble’, or even a ‘double-double’ having narrowly missed out on the Champions League and now the FA Cup.
When we get our SBOTOP Premier League 2024 betting odds ready they will surely place the Sky Blues as favourites to register a fifth consecutive league title; but boss Pep Guardiola wants more than that. His team dominated their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid but went out in a penalty shootout and the City boss is concerned that Carlo Ancelotti’s team is getting ready to challenge for European domination.
Los Blancos won La Liga in some comfort and have a Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund to look forward to and Guardiola is concerned that the impending arrival of Kylian Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu will strengthen the Madrid giants further.
So he has challenged his club’s owners to fund a move for Newcastle United attacking midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the summer, according to the UK press. The 26-year-old Brazilian ace won’t come cheap, and the Sky Blues will face competition from Premier League runners-up Arsenal, but Guardiola believes a player of his quality can keep Manchester City ahead of Real Madrid in the quest to be the best of the best.
While other clubs splash out on numerous recruits, notably Chelsea, Guardiola typically adds one or two key players a year to supplement an already stellar squad. And that is the model Ancelotti is following at the Santiago Bernabeu, last year bringing in Jude Bellingham and this year Paris Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Guimaraes has scored 16 goals in 86 appearances for Newcastle in his two years at the club and he is the Magpies’ best player; but manager Eddie Howe knows he needs to sell to balance the books with his club always on the radar of the ‘Financial Fair Play Police.’ Summer brings with it Euro 2024 and the Copa America so there will be plenty of action on the field; but, day by day, minute by minute, the dealmakers will be trying to get their clubs an edge and it promises to be a fascinating two months ahead.
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