Manchester United made the decision to stick by manager Erik ten Hag after an end of season review.
There is good news for Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag after Ineos decided the Dutchman should continue in his role as manager.
A long and torturous season ended on a high note after Manchester United beat rivals City in the FA Cup Final.
This offset a poor Premier League campaign, leaving fans elated to win a second trophy in successive seasons, and get revenge for the 2023 final defeat.
Manchester United boss benefited from fan support
Manchester United fans at Wembley saw Erik ten Hag’s side upset the odds and triumph, sparking joyous celebrations.
United fan support was claimed by The Mail to have played a key impact in keeping Ten Hag in post, as a factor along with others, including no standout alternatives, and the mitigating factor of injuries affecting this past season.
United In Focus ran a fan poll following the Cup Final, which saw 87 per cent of responses call for Ten Hag to stay.
Veteran United reporter Andy Mitten also ran his own poll on X, and he has relayed a conversation with the Dutchman, via United We Stand.
He explained how he was interviewing Ten Hag at Wembley shortly after posting his poll, and showed the manager the responses.
Mitten explained: “60,000 people responded and 85 per cent of them said they wanted him to carry on as manager.
“About 10 minutes after I posted that, I was talking to Erik and I showed him, and he wasn’t unhappy about that.
“Even then 10 minutes in, it was like 83 per cent support of him, and I said ‘what sort of politician wouldn’t like those sort of approval ratings?’, so I think it is probably the sensible decision.”
Mitten added that he would love Erik ten Hag to succeed at United and keep winning trophies, but he does need his team to demonstrate an improvement on the pitch and not repeat the flaws we saw in 2023/24, fearing he could be at risk if the same patterns emerge.
Erik ten Hag must utilise momentum
Erik ten Hag and Manchester United are on a high, ending the season in dream manner by knocking off Pep Guardiola’s City.
Next season the challenges will continue afresh, and there will be added scrutiny on Ten Hag, now he has received Ineos’ backing.
It is up to him, and the players, to utilise the feelgood factor and optimism, to begin the 2024/25 season strongly.
Getting off to a fast start is crucial, with some early morale boosting wins, to build on the successful way this campaign has ended.
With fans largely supportive of the decision to keep Ten Hag, he must not give any reason for them to change their minds.