Ten Hag In

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Manchester United and INEOS have delivered the most deliciously sweet f**k you to 99% of the British media (hello Jacob Steinberg from The Guardian!) and a very large section of their online 'fanbase' who seem to revel in negativity.

Ten Hag is staying. Not only that, he is getting a new contract!

Two trophies and European football delivered in both seasons, under exceptionally difficult circumstances, particularly during the season just finished. 

There are, as always, two sides to the story. Some of the football was poor, some of the tactics (until the end of the season) seemed baffling, we struggled to score goals, finished with a negative goal difference in the league and some of the results were appalling.

So it is understandable that supporters were unhappy.

Thankfully, the majority of match going supporters and sensible long term fans could see the underlying issues. Ten Hag DIDN'T become a bad manager overnight. He had no structure around him, ownership issues dragging on, severe injuries and intense off-field issues to deal with around players like Greenwood, Sancho and Antony. Not to mention Rashford.

Ten Hag has shown remarkable calmness and resilience to get through that and deliver another trophy, ruining Klopp's 'farewell tour' and beating city in the final in the process.

Testing times have helped Ten Hag find the core of his squad. Developing players like Dalot, Garnacho and Mainoo and somehow helping to rescue Harry Maguire who looked down, out and truly despondent earlier in the season. 

Bruno has led superbly. Hojlund looks a player (if he gets service). McTominay has risen, Onana settled in.

Can Erik get a tune out of Rashford? Is Antony a waste of time and money? Who will come and who will go this summer?

The main thing is, United are building a structure and strategy for the first time post-Fergie.

I don't expect United to challenge for the title next season, but I do expect top 4 and for us to get a lot closer to aim to challenge the following season.

I expect more goals and sincerely hope for less injuries.

And I hope Ten Hag adds to his core and we continue to invest in exciting young players.



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