Erik ten Hag, Marcus Rashford, and the mess at Manchester United that might turn disastrous for everyone
The impending takeover of Old Trafford by Manchester United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could mean the end for both Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford.
United’s new top brass is gearing up to make drastic cuts to the team’s excess baggage in an attempt to transform the culture of a team that hasn’t really challenged for the Premier League title in more than ten years, leaving bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool in their wake.
And as a result, Ratcliffe and the newest board members of United will ultimately decide whether to split up with one, the other, or both this summer.
After scoring 30 goals the previous season, England attacker Rashford has had a challenging season, managing just five goals in 31 appearances for Ten Hag’s struggling team. Now that Rashford is disillusioned with Ten Hag and their relationship has soured, the 26-year-old’s long-term career at Old Trafford is seriously in jeopardy.
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Ten Hag has felt the need to punish Rashford twice this season. Initially, in October of last year, he celebrated his birthday in the heart of Manchester City right after the team’s 3-0 derby loss—a move Ten Hag called “unacceptable”—and then, last month, he traveled to Belfast.
The manager of United, who is currently under pressure, was especially upset with the trip to Belfast and how the issue was made worse by the first claim that the video of Rashford having a wild time on social media appeared 24 hours earlier than it actually did. Just 48 hours before the FA Cup fourth round match at Newport County on January 26, Rashford called in sick for training. He didn’t return home until that morning after taking a private jet back to Manchester.
Ten Hag was incensed, and although he has remained a regular ever since—the Dutchman officially stated that the matter has been resolved—the club’s upper management is beginning to acknowledge that one, or both, of them, needs to leave this summer.
This season, Rashford has not performed near his peak.
Paris Saint-Germain could be interested in signing Rashford as they try to replace Kylian Mbappe before he leaves for Real Madrid. Additionally, he is United’s most marketable asset, especially in terms of making sure the team abides by the profit and sustainability regulations set down by the Premier League. By giving themselves as much leeway as possible on that front this summer, the team is hoping to bolster by adding players.
As a result, following yet another dismal season, speculation has been raised as to whether it would be better for both United and the player to split ways.
However, it is also acknowledged that Rashford is still United’s most valuable player and the one that the team’s top competitors most desire to have on their roster. He is the United player that Pep Guardiola thinks would do best at City, an insider informed Mirror Football.
d the Remarks
The Dutchman maintains that he does not require Ratcliffe’s endorsement in public: He responded, “I don’t care. I’m here. I’m under contract for three seasons,” before to the FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest. He is also aware that he will not succeed.
The United manager needs a strong finish to the season since he is essentially on trial before the summer. The attempt to pass Tottenham and Aston Villa in the race for Champions League spots, as well as the FA Cup quarterfinal matchup against Liverpool at Old Trafford, will be crucial.
However, there is also the expectation that Ratcliffe and company would bring in their own player, so even if he manages to reclaim a berth in Europe’s top club championship, it might not be sufficient.
As they embark on a significant overhaul of the club’s sporting operation, Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, and new CEO Omar Berrada—who has already begun meeting with club officials while on gardening leave from the City Football Group—want to send a message that mediocrity will no longer be accepted.
The first move might be to break up with the manager and his underperforming striker.
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