Manchester United may have ended the season with two wins, but their final position in the Premier League was their lowest ever. The question now is whether manager Erik ten Hag will be given another season to turn things around, and according to former Old Trafford legend Lee Sharpe, it may not solely depend on the outcome of the FA Cup final.
Sharpe believes that there are multiple factors that need to be considered when evaluating the manager’s future. “I think there’s a whole package that has to be looked at,” Sharpe told Tribalfootball.com. “They’ve already said the manager’s not been supported enough to be successful so far. Whether they see that this manager just needs a bit of support and help for him to go on and do a good job or whether they think that someone else needs to come in is a very difficult decision.”
He goes on to explain that everything needs to be taken into consideration, including the team’s injury list, their overall performance throughout the season, their defensive vulnerabilities, and their ability to create and convert scoring opportunities. Sharpe emphasizes the need for improvements in the squad, suggesting that some players should be offloaded and new signings brought in.
Speaking of potential new signings, there have been rumors that Manchester United is preparing a bid for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. However, Sharpe questions why a player of Osimhen’s caliber would choose to join a team that won’t be playing in the Champions League next season when he has plenty of options available.
“Well, this is the question now if you’re a top player,” Sharpe says. “Whoever comes to Man United now has to buy into the project. They’re not going to come in and expect to win the title next season. Bring younger players in that are hungry, that want to work and want to play for the club.”
He believes that it will be a long-term project for these players, spanning three or four years. The goal is to gradually climb up the table and eventually challenge for the league title. Sharpe sees this as an exciting journey for any player who gets involved.
In conclusion, Manchester United’s decision regarding Erik ten Hag’s future as manager will involve a thorough evaluation of various factors. The club needs to address their shortcomings, make necessary squad changes, and focus on building a team that is committed to the long-term project of returning to the top.
