Manchester United have made the decision to stick with manager Erik ten Hag – after a two-week review.
Erik ten Hag is staying on as Manchester United manager, with decision-makers Ineos choosing stability instead of change.
While the decision may have boiled down to the fact Ten Hag won two trophies in two seasons, and the quality of replacements was fairly uninspiring, the debate was a little more nuanced.
Ten Hag has made errors too, with a lack of flexibility in style of play, and also in the transfer market, giving Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co plenty to consider.
Ineos had transfer concerns
Ineos have been reviewing all aspects of Manchester United since they came in, and one issue caused concerns.
The Telegraph report that they were ‘slightly horrified’ by the power Erik ten Hag wielded regarding transfers.
This led to United splashing more than £80 million on Antony, and spending three months chasing and failing to sign Frenkie de Jong.
The issue has also been a concern among Manchester United fans, who have become used to the club spending poorly over the years.
Ineos new structure
Ineos have already begun putting together a plan to address this issue, beginning to implement a new structure.
Omar Berrada is incoming as CEO, with Jason Wilcox already starting work as technical director. Dan Ashworth will eventually follow as sporting director.
The approach to transfers will be more collaborative, with Ten Hag getting help – similar to how he worked at Ajax under Marc Overmars.
Ineos may still be horrified at the prices Manchester United get charged for players, but it will be their decision to pay up, play hardball, or move on.