Nicky Butt, Manchester United legend and six-time title winner, has shared his thoughts on Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford. Butt believes that the Dutch manager has until Christmas to prove himself and show progress at the club. While United’s start to the season has been disappointing, with defeats to Brighton and Liverpool, Butt acknowledges that the backing shown to Ten Hag by chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggests he will be given time to turn things around.
Butt emphasizes the pressure that comes with managing Manchester United, stating that winning the title this year is unrealistic, and anyone claiming otherwise is a “joker.” He highlights the importance of sticking with a manager and not sacking them without a reasonable replacement. Butt points out that many clubs make the mistake of sacking a manager without having a suitable successor lined up, which leads to a cycle of poor managerial appointments.
Butt’s comments echo the sentiment that Ten Hag should be given a few months to prove himself. He suggests that if United were planning to replace him, they should have done so in the summer. Now, it’s essential to support the manager and assess the situation at Christmas. Butt acknowledges that United’s spine is vulnerable, allowing opponents to exploit the team’s weaknesses.
Butt’s former United teammate Teddy Sheringham has also criticized Ten Hag, claiming that the Dutchman is not good enough and will be gone by Christmas. However, Ten Hag has made efforts to strengthen United’s midfield with the signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Butt believes that Ugarte can fill a gap in the squad and contribute to the team’s improvement.
The article also mentions the managers Manchester United reportedly considered before keeping Ten Hag. Gareth Southgate, Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, Marco Silva, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Ruben Amorim, and Roberto Martinez were all rumored to be potential replacements. However, Ten Hag survived the speculation and remains in charge.
Butt expresses the need for United to build a squad that can challenge for titles in the future. He acknowledges that Manchester City is currently ahead of United and believes that the focus for this season should be on returning to Champions League football and having a strong cup run.
In conclusion, Nicky Butt believes that Erik ten Hag has until Christmas to prove himself at Manchester United. He emphasizes the importance of supporting the manager and not making knee-jerk decisions based on a few games. Butt acknowledges the challenges United faces but remains hopeful that Ten Hag can turn things around with the support of the players and new signings.