According to sources, Man Utd considers Thomas Frank a “strong contender” to succeed Erik ten Hag should they want to do so at the end of the current campaign.
Following the completion of a deal by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS to purchase 27.7% of Manchester United from the Glazers, the Red Devils are poised for a transformative summer.
Ten Hag is under a lot of strain because Manchester United has only won one of their past eight league games, is presently ranked eighth in the Premier League standings, and was eliminated from Europe just before Christmas.
If INEOS decides to select a new manager, many individuals have been suggested to take Ten Hag’s place, with Thomas Tuchel of Bayern Munich and Gareth Southgate of England being the most frequently named.
Though Southgate is “not the top Man United target with Ten Hag set to be sacked,” a report from earlier today insisted that Man Utd are “likely to look past the England boss.”
The Danish coach has “an existing relationship with co-owners INEOS and has previously linked up with Sir Dave Brailsford, director of sport at the company, before investment in United,” according to the Daily Telegraph, who also claims that Frank, the manager of Brentford, is a “strong contender” for the job if Ten Hag is fired.
After a disappointing campaign, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has maintained that it’s time for Man Utd and Ten Hag to split ways in the summer.
“Erik ten Hag may examine his next opponent’s first two years at the Emirates and find hope,” Carragher stated. He may present it to Sir Jim Ratcliffe as proof that the calls for his termination are unwarranted.
“Many will be shocked to learn that the Dutchman’s record is marginally better than [Mikel] Arteta’s after the same amount of Premier League appearances. Ten Hag’s Manchester United team never had Arteta’s Arsenal team play at such a consistently low level.
Manchester United, on the other hand, advanced last year but has subsequently regressed significantly. United has frequently been outmatched by competitors, falling short against mid-table Premier League clubs as well as Manchester City and Liverpool, 6-3 and 7-0, respectively.
“Even though United has had success under Ten Hag, I can’t honestly think of any particularly outstanding games with a remarkably aggressive style of play. They are not organised like a premier team after two years.
“The 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Monday night was not even close to being equal to any of Arteta’s most heartbreaking defeats. The main distinction, which worries Ten Hag, is that he is not the owner’s appointment. The Arsenal board of directors placed their trust in Arteta’s potential. Ratcliffe should be more likely to stand or fall depending on his managerial choice, logic dictates.
Gary Neville: I think we need to stick with Ten Hag
However, Manchester United great Neville believes the Red Devils should “stick with Ten Hag” to see if they can regain their form from the previous campaign, as he stated on Sky Sports.
Neville stated: “Some are suffering, Bayern Munich is having trouble finding a successor. To see if United can return to the level of the previous season when they won a trophy and ended in the top four, I believe we should continue with Ten Hag and allow him another season without any injuries. Over the past ten years, Old Trafford has proven difficult for both players and coaches to adjust to.
“There is something fundamentally wrong that is causing this trouble; these players and managers were excellent when they were signed by United. The manager and players may feel more secure with the new management and ownership.
Manchester United will resume winning as surely as the sun will rise. I’m not sure when that is. I am aware that these things happen in cycles, so there can’t be any assurance.
“I was patient and spent my entire youth watching Arsenal, Liverpool, and Everton win Division One titles and trophies. Manchester United didn’t win a league title until I was eighteen (19) years old. After that, we won numerous league titles, but we haven’t won one in ten years.
“I am completely aware that Manchester United will win trophies during my lifetime, ideally, but they will also win trophies again. We’ll get it right, just like Arsenal and Liverpool will.
