Erik ten Hag is on course to deliver Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League performance.
One statistic about Manchester United‘s season should speak volumes. The Red Devils can no longer reach the points total amassed by David Moyes in 2013/14.
It has been a disastrous season for Manchester United, who currently sit eighth in thePremier League. And there will be consequences to that.
One repercussion, if United do not win the FA Cup final against Manchester City, would be total failure to qualify for any form of European football in 2024/25.
No European football can benefit Ineos
If Manchester United fail to qualify for any form of European football, this will on one level be a blow. But it might be just what the club needs.
Think of it as a step back to take two steps forward. It will mean fewer games, and can accelerate plans for a clearout.
A reduced number of matches means a smaller squad will be required. This can push forward United’s efforts to sell players, and raise funds.
There would also likely be fewer injuries, with players featuring once a week and not twice.
United have a limited budget for this coming season, and a reduced schedule will make the club’s recruitment plans feel feasible.
While Manchester United do want to finish as low down the table as possible, Erik ten Hag seems to be accomplishing this all by himself.
And Ineos would certainly prefer the financial benefits that come with some kind of European football.
But what they may really need, is missing out altogether, in order to have a hard reset and rebuild.
Not having to travel on a Thursday for European games can benefit the team in Premier League competition in 2024/24, and lead to a quicker ‘bounce back’ than if trapped in the perpetual cycle the club has been in during the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Arsenal and Chelsea have benefitted
It has been proven that missing out on Europe for a season can benefit teams, Arsenal and Chelsea have demonstrated this.
Mikel Arteta’s rebuild at Arsenal was aided by finishing eighth in 2020/21, which meant no European football in 2021/22, where they finished fifth.
Chelsea did it even more spectacularly when they finished in 10th place in 2015/16.
One year later they won the Premier League, triumphing with a 93-point total in 2016/17.