At the end of last season, Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, faced uncertainty about his future with the club.
Despite this, the club chose to retain the Dutch manager over the summer, even after exploring talks with other potential candidates.
This decision came despite the team’s on-field struggles and a rocky start to the new season, following substantial financial investments made to strengthen the squad during the transfer window.
During the summer, Ten Hag received strong support from the club’s leadership, with Manchester United signing five new players to bolster the team.
However, despite these reinforcements, Ten Hag has yet to significantly improve the team’s performance in the Premier League.
The disappointing start to the season has sparked increasing speculation about his future, particularly if his efforts to improve the team continue to falter.
As a result, there has been growing discussion about potential replacements. Sports presenter Will Brazier has suggested that Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Manchester United’s current assistant manager, could step in as head coach before the season ends.
Van Nistelrooy, a club legend and former player, is viewed as a potential successor who could restore stability and bring back the club’s identity.
Brazier believes Van Nistelrooy could have a similar impact to that of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, another former player who took over as manager during a difficult period and initially performed well.
Solskjaer was appointed as a caretaker manager after José Mourinho’s departure and earned praise for rejuvenating the team, eventually securing the job on a permanent basis due to his early success.
While Ten Hag remains in charge for now, his position is increasingly under scrutiny. The decision to keep him over the summer is being questioned by fans and analysts, especially as Manchester United continues to struggle.
If Ten Hag fails to improve the team’s results soon, the pressure to consider a leadership change will likely grow.
In such a situation, Van Nistelrooy’s presence in the coaching staff could make him a strong contender to take over and lead Manchester United back to success.
