Ten Hag is RIGHT! Man Utd won't be title challengers next season

Tom Weber

• 27 Apr 2024 17:30 BST
• 4 min read

Erik ten Hag is correct in saying that Manchester United won't be Premier League title challengers next season.

The Red Devils boss is under fire after a disappointing sophomore campaign in charge. Ten Hag has overseen a season of uninspiring performances and poor results and pressure on him is ramping up.

New technical director Jason Wilcox is investigating the 54-year-old's work and dressing room relations for the foreseeable future before making a decision on whether or not to sack him at the end of the season. In addition to being criticised for the way his team have performed this term, Ten Hag has also raised eyebrows with his statements in the media.

READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel would be Erik ten Hag 2.0 at Man Utd

There is an argument to be made that the Dutchman is slowly morphing into a Jose Mourinho lite given how often he feels the need to draw attention to his achievements as a coach. It increasingly seems as though Ten Hag is only concerned with saving his own skin and his latest comments on the club's future attest to that.

Man Utd won't challenge for the PL

Speaking ahead of Man Utd's clash with Burnley, Ten Hag already tried to lower expectations for the new season even though the current one is still far from over. The Dutchman claimed that Man Utd won't be in a position to challenge at the summit of the Premier League next term unless they have a very good summer transfer window.

"I think when everyone is available we are competing for top four, I am confident of that. But it isn't a two-horse or three-horse race anymore. There is Villa, Spurs and Newcastle so many good teams."

"There are six or seven who can all compete, don't forget about Chelsea. They are all competing. We are not at this moment in a position to challenge for first and second, but I think we can come closer if we have a good transfer window."

Subsequent events proved Ten Hag right. His side limped to yet another dreadful result as Burnley held Man Utd to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. In fact, things may have turned out even worse for Ten Hag and company had Sander Berge not gifted Antony his first Premier League goal of the season.

READ MORE: Glasner reunion at Crystal Palace is GREAT news for Man Utd & Liverpool

It was another outing that proved several things. For one, it showed that the Dutchman is correct in saying that Man Utd won't challenge for the title next season. But this in itself is, of course, an indictment of Ten Hag, as was the performance on the day.

He has overseen significant spending and 2023/24 was already supposed to be the season in which Man Utd challenged at the summit of the standings. Instead, they are struggling to get into the Champions League and the coach is publically telling fans that next season will essentially be another write-off.

Even if Ten Hag is correct, it is a bad look. But an even worse look was the nth lacklustre performance from his team this term. If Man Utd want to get back on their perch, they will need a small miracle this summer - and a big one if Ten Hag remains in charge.