Despite the most recent devastating loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League, the Manchester United board may be willing to continue with Erik ten Hag. However, should they decide to alter their minds, there is a perfect replacement waiting in the wings. Since becoming the club’s new manager in 2022, Ten Hag has received significant support in the transfer market in an effort to assemble his own team.
The likes of Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Andre Onana have all received significant financial investment. Ten Hag’s first season with them gave them the impression that they were on the right track because he assisted them in finishing in the top four and snapping a six-year trophy drought.
United, however, was unable to continue after that and is now starting the next season playing catch-up. For the first time since 1986, they have dropped six of their first ten games in all leagues.
United already has a significant uphill battle to overcome in order to advance to the Champions League’s knockout stages after their loss to Galatasaray. They have also fallen seven points behind in the race to once again finish inside the top four after only three victories in seven league games.
The Dutchman was hired with the intention of considering the long term vision, according to United, and there is still plenty of time for Ten Hag to turn things around. But if Ten Hag is unable to change the situation, a decision will eventually need to be made.
There may even be plans in place for such eventuality, and Graham Potter would most likely be near the top of the list. Before his unsuccessful tenure at Chelsea, the 48-year-old was regarded as one of the most promising coaches in the world while coaching Brighton.
At Stamford Bridge, Potter almost had an impossible job since he was charged with managing radical changes at Chelsea that occurred both on and off the field. With Chelsea continuing its extravagant spending this past summer, Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t fared any better in his position as manager.
Chelsea’s current predicament serves as evidence that Potter wasn’t entirely to blame for what happened during his brief time in command of the London club. To see the type of manager United might get with the right project behind him, they only need to look at Brighton’s trajectory under Potter.
It’s the kind of endeavor that all clubs hope to undertake in terms of identifying undiscovered potential and developing it into true superstars. If United decides to reverse course, Potter would be a wise choice. United may need to go a similar path once again.
Although United fans booed their team vociferously off the pitch earlier this week, Ten Hag will still be hopeful that he can turn things around. Rangers is apparently trying to get Potter, who is already in demand for roles around Europe, but the Englishman is rumored to prefer another Premier League position.
Potter would be eager to once again demonstrate his prowess at the highest level, and his patience may ultimately work in United’s favor.
