The Dutchman has presided over a disappointing campaign for United – both domestically and in Europe – which saw them finish eighth in the Premier League.
This weekend’s showpiece event could have represented Ten Hag’s last chance to curry favour with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, but United’s new part-owners appear to have already seen enough and are expected to call time on the 54-year-old two-year spell at the club.
As he now prepares for his final hurrah, here are four reasons why United have chosen to part ways with Ten Hag.
Unwanted records
After an impressive first season at the club, which saw United win the Carabao Cup, reach the FA Cup final and return to the Champions League, the foundations were set for Ten Hag’s side to push on this season.
Instead, the Dutchman has presided over a campaign of slow – and often painful – decline which leaves the club firmly back at square one, if not with more of a mountain to climb than when he took over in the summer of 2022.
The 14 league defeats that the Red Devils suffered is the club’s highest-ever tally in the Premier League, while their eighth-place finish is also a club-record low since 1990. A porous and often makeshift defence have also conceded 84 goals in all competitions, their most since the 1976/77 season.
A first FA Cup since 2016 on Saturday may salvage some pride for the Dutchman, but it’s hard to ignore the backwards steps his side have taken this term.
Style of Play
Brought in from Ajax, Ten Hag’s appointment was seen as a clear sign that United were looking for a manager who could impart and instil a coherent tactical set-up.
And yet, two seasons into his Old Trafford experiment, United fans seem to be no clearer on how the Dutchman wants to set up his team.
The summer signings of Andre Onana and Mason Mount hinted that Ten Hag might finally be looking to employ a more expansive, attacking and possession-heavy style – similar to that seen at Ajax – but such hopes have failed to materialise.
When compared to Ange Postecoglou, who in just one season has already begun to build the foundations of a free-flowing Tottenham side, the lack of tactical cohesion seen from United under Ten Hag is alarming and ultimately proved costly.
Injury record
While Ten Hag may point to this as a reasonable excuse for his side’s inconsistencies, he must be held at least in-par responsible for the injury crisis that has enveloped his United side at various points throughout the campaign.
At Ajax, Ten Hag showed an aversion to resting his key players and that trend has continued at Old Trafford. Last season, Bruno Fernandes started 57 out of a possible 62 games, while Casemiro was only rested due to suspension.
Coupled with a pre-season that many senior players felt was too intense, that desire to stick firmly with his first-choice XI and rarely rotate has caught up with the Dutchman during his second season.
He can’t be held fully responsible for Mount’s injury woes or Luke Shaw’s inability to stay regularly fit, but it’s undeniable that Ten Hag has played a part in his side’s injury-ravaged ways.
Race heating up for McKenna
While the writing has been on the wall for the ailing incumbent for some weeks, INEOS’ apparent move to confirm Ten Hag’s fate could, in part, be attributed to outside factors.
The surprise departure of Mauricio Pochettino earlier in the week, coupled with Roberto De Zerbi’s exit from Brighton, means there are at least two clubs in the hunt for new managers in the off-season.
And it appears that the man attracting interest from both clubs is Kieran McKenna who has guided Ipswich Town to the Premier League after securing back-to-back promotions from League One.
McKenna, who previously coached United’s 18s side before becoming assistant manager under Jose Mourinho, is a name that has also attracted the interest of United’s new hierarchy, who have reportedly already met his representatives.
The Northern Irishman would surely be tempted by a return to Old Trafford to manage United, who he grew up supporting, but the club may well have felt pressured to act quickly and make a decision over Ten Hag to ensure they don’t lose out to Chelsea or Brighton in the race for the 38-year-old’s service.
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