After a summer of speculation and months of increasingly dire displays, Erik ten Hag has finally been dismissed as Manchester United manager.
The mystery of why it took so long for the club’s hierarchy to take action is without reasonable explanation but the Red Devils are already addressing their vacant hot seat. Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim looks the man most likely to get the job as the latest new era is ushered in.
Ten Hag’s firing comes as little surprise. An increasingly apathetic fanbase and squad made the Dutchman’s departure inevitable, with a large proportion of the club’s players expected to be privately rejoicing at the news.
But who will benefit most from Ten Hag’s exit? And who will suffer without the former Ajax coach?
Marcus Rashford
It’s hard to believe that one of Marcus Rashford’s most fruitful season came under Ten Hag’s watch. 30 goals and 11 assists in all competitions helped United storm to a third-place Premier League finish and Carabao Cup title in the Dutchman’s debut campaign at the helm.
However, Rashford’s inspired individual displays and clinical sharpshooting merely papered over the cracks for Ten Hag, who was swiftly exposed when the Englishman’s goals dried up. Rashford has been unable to rediscover that form since the end of 2022/23, with Ten Hag failing to get the best out of the 26-year-old.
Of course, Rashford must shoulder some of the blame for his dwindling influence, but his happiness will likely be priority number one for the next boss. The fleet-footed winger will certainly be buoyed by the promise of a new voice in the dugout.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo was one of the few shining lights for United in 2023/24. Ten Hag entrusted the teenager with significant responsibility in his breakout season and the midfielder quickly became an absolutely integral member of the starting lineup.
Mainoo could well be a generational talent. The youngster’s ceiling sits among the clouds and Ten Hag was always unlikely to ever be the coach that guided him from promising wonderkid to world-beating midfielder.
A manager with a more progressive and defined style should have joy moulding Mainoo into an exceptional box-to-box threat, improving both his defensive ability and attacking dynamism. The ‘Stockport Seedorf’ needs a new mentor.
Mason Mount
The signing of Mason Mount was considered a coup at Old Trafford. Poaching an exciting English talent from Chelsea amid interest from rivals Liverpool was rightly celebrated by the club’s supporters. However, Mount’s Manchester adventure has turned nightmarish.
Injuries have hindered his development after a slow start to life in red, but Ten Hag has seemingly been bamboozled by how to get the most from Mount when the midfielder is fit and available.
With Bruno Fernandes occupying the number ten role, Mount has been forced deeper by the Dutchman. But he’s failed to reinforce a leaky midfield or offer the attacking ingenuity for which he became renowned in west London.
Casemiro
Casemiro’s fall from grace has been rather rapid. The Brazilian arrived at Old Trafford as a legendary Real Madrid midfielder who had anchored one of the great teams of the modern era en-route to an abundance of silverware.
The 32-year-old’s first season at Old Trafford was good but his performance levels, much like his teammate’s, dropped significantly in 2023/24. After a harrowing 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, Jamie Carragher famously advised the midfielder to “leave the game before the game leaves you”.
Well, Ten Hag’s departure is only going to prod Casemiro further towards the exit door. United’s next manager will be desperate to overhaul the midfield, building around Mainoo and cashing in on some of the more experienced heads where possible.
It’s evident that Casemiro is no longer a world-class holding midfielder, even if he can still offer the odd impressive display. Unfortunately, the veteran may be one of the first to follow Ten Hag out of the exit door.
Antony
United scouts reportedly once valued Antony at £25m. With Ten Hag pushing for his signature, the Red Devils then set an upper limit of £55m. Fuelled by the connection between their manager and the former Ajax winger, United eventually splashed £85m on the Brazilian.
Comfortably the most misjudged and financially irresponsible signing of the Ten Hag era – perhaps even the wider Premier League era, too – Antony has little chance of kickstarting his United career now that Ten Hag has departed.
All sizzle and no steak, the 24-year-old already finds himself behind Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo in the pecking order and a new manager is likely to identify the right wing as an area in need of investment in the transfer market.
Harry Maguire
£80m for a centre-back is likely to raise eyebrows but it’s a wise investment providing they blossom into Virgil van Dijk. Unfortunately for Harry Maguire, he has sat several tiers below the imperious Liverpool defender since moving to Old Trafford from Leicester City.
While Maguire has had his moments in a United shirt, there can be no debating that his transfer has ultimately been a failed one given the finances involved in the initial deal. Ten Hag often trusted the Englishman but even he lost faith in the defender at various points throughout his reign.
Maguire could struggle in a new regime. An ageing defender with limited pace and inconsistent performance levels? That’s likely the kind of player sent packing at the beginning of a fresh era.
