Manchester United’s new decision makers are not short-sighted enough to base any decision on Erik ten Hag’s future on a single result. But, still, the timing and the manner of Sunday’s enthralling FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool will have done the Dutchman’s hopes of a third season at the helm – and a first under Ineos – no harm at all.
Ten Hag has faced criticism at times for his team selection, his signings, and for his ambitious but perhaps flawed desire to turn Manchester Untied (in his words) into the ‘best transition team’ in the world.
But as a spirited United side recovered from 2-1 and 3-2 down to send Jurgen Klopp and co packing at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s continued belief in Scott McTominay was rewarded again. His much-maligned big-money signing Antony contributed the biggest moment of his United career.
And it was two of the players who largely owe their first-team status to the former Ajax boss – academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – who were arguably the best players on the pitch, the teenage duo possessing the energy and the intensity to carry out Ten Hag’s transitional tactics to a tee.
According to Fabrizio Romano, amid links with Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, Ruben Amorim, Thiago Motta and more, there is a more-than decent chance that Ten Hag stays in situ during Ineos’ first season in control of Man United.
Ten Hag could still have Manchester United future
As long as speculation lingers, however, Bayern Munich will remain at the front of the queue to sign a player who has been linked with a move to Manchester for the best part of 12 months now.
According to BILD, Jeremie Frimpong has spoken to both Bayern and United.
But with Ten Hag allegedly the driving force behind United’s interest in the former Man City and Celtic whizzkid, the uncertainty surrounding his future has seen the Bundesliga champions move into pole position.
In truth, even if Ineos put out a statement tomorrow confirming that Ten Hag will remain until 2025 at least, United’s pursuit of Frimpong would be shrouded in scepticism.
It is expected that Ten Hag will lose some of his power in the recruitment process once United bring in a specialist transfer market expert such as a Dougie Freedman or a Julian Ward; many of the Dutchman’s signings struggling to live up to expectations.
Furthermore, the right-back area is arguably one of the few parts of this United squad not crying out for investment. Diogo Dalot has come on leaps and bounds of late. And, in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ten Hag also has one of – if not the – finest defensive full-back in the game.
Wan-Bissaka shut down Mo Salah, so often United’s tormentor, while playing out of position on the left on Sunday.
And there is also another factor to consider. Would Frimpong, who has a £34 million release clause in his contract, be able to translate his stunning performances at Bayer Leverkusen at a new club? One Bundesliga expert has his doubts.
Does Ten Hag really need the £34 million ace
“The pair of them have been so, so, so instrumental,” explains Stefan Bienkowski, co-host of the Gegenpressing football podcast, Frimpong and fellow full-back Alejandro Grimaldo both finding the net in the 2-0 derby win over Koln recently.
“They are not full-backs. They are wing-backs or – at the very least – full-blown wingers. Two players playing in a system that Xabi Alonso has (created) to get the best out of them.
“I suspect that, if or when Frimpong or Grimaldo move on, I don’t think they will be able to replicate what they have done with Leverkusen this season because they are such specialised players in a specialised system.
“I don’t think you could just put Frimpong in at right-back for Man United and expect him to do the same thing. It’s a tailor-made system with tailor-made players.”