Erik ten Hag’s position is under more scrutiny than ever after United scraped past second-tier Coventry City on penalties in a dramatic FA Cup semi-final.
This is Manchester United,the modern Manchester United that was witnessed in the dramatic penalty shootout against Coventry City.
Literal inches away from recording one of the biggest shocks not just in FA Cup history but English football history, Coventry came from three goals down in the semi-final clash – only to suffer an agonising defeat on penalties.
But despite their defeat, Robins, (Coventry coach) – who famously ‘saved’ Sir Alex Ferguson’s job in 1990 with a memorable goal in the FA Cup third round – has now determined another United manager’s fate. That’s according to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who labeled the narrow win ’embarrassing’ .
Watching on at Wembley was United’s new-look hierarchy, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and long-time chief Avram Glazer baring witness to United’s second-half collapse and extra-time malaise. It’s those two men, and others from the boardroom, who’ll be calling the shots and deciding which manager starts next season in the Old Trafford dugout.
It has increasingly felt that Erik ten Hag’s time as Manchester United boss is coming to its finale. The Dutch coach has undoubtedly been let down by his team on occasion but as those disappointments stack up, it’s difficult to leave much away from Ten Hag’s door.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival did not offer much security for the Ajax boss which won’t have helped the 54-year-old maintain his authority amidst a difficult season and the situation where it is difficult to see a turnaround in his relationship with players and supporters. Of course, defeating Manchester City in FA Cup final would go some way to doing that but it says everything that such a result feels unimaginable.
The Coventry collapse was horrific. And despite progressing in the shootout, it should be a source of huge embarrassment for days to come. But there is a wider context too of inconsistent performances throughout the entire season and, most damning of all, several players appear to be continuously operating at less than full effort.
Only Ten Hag, his staff and the players will know the exact reasoning for that. Irregardless, it is ultimately the head coach’s responsibility to fix it. All evidence suggests he is unable to. It has long been inevitable that a squad clearout is required this summer. But first they need to find another head coach capable of turning the ship around.