Erik Ten Hag will continue at Old Trafford. However, there are only 12 months left on his contract

Less than three weeks after Manchester United won the FA Cup, the Dutch coach’s continuation was to be decided at Old Trafford. The worst league table finish in club history sparked speculation about Ten Hag’s departure. However, the former Ajax coach will lead Manchester United until the 2024/25 season.

The club have decided to continue working together after the season has been evaluated. The process took more than two weeks. In the end, Erik ten Hag will stay at Old Trafford for at least one more year.

Worst season ever?

The Red Devils finished worse than seventh for the first time in the Premier League era. They were even out of the European Cup when the league ended. But they will eventually play in the Europa League, which they won in 2017, thanks to winning the FA Cup. Their last three Europa League appearances, however, ended without a trophy.

Manchester United started the season in the Champions League group stage, where they faced Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray of Turkey. No one thought progression would be any problem. But after gaining just 4 points for a win over Copenhagen and a draw with Galatasaray, the English giant finished in the last 4, with no European competition awaiting them in the spring.

The Premier League was no better. Manchester United finished the season in 8th place with 60 points. For a while, it looked like it could fight for the top 4, but the end of the season was absolutely wrong for the team and in the end, it unnecessarily lost several points. Fourth placed Aston Villa eventually finished 8 points ahead of them.

Injury after injury

In the 2023/24 season, the Red Devils stars suffered a total of 35 different instances of any injury. For example, the competition champions, Manchester City, had just 16 injuries. Even captain Bruno Fernandes, who had never missed a game due to injury until he was 29, had to miss two games due to a knee injury.

One of the Dutch coach’s first reinforcements, Tyrell Malacia, for example, has not featured at all this season. Left-back Luke Shaw has missed 23 league games. Stoker Lisandro Martinez, whom Ten Hag brought in from Ajax, has only made a couple of starts and missed 25 games.

A sweet future?

These injuries did bring something good though. Nineteen-year-old central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo made his Premier League debut against Everton in the 13th round. Since then, he has been a mainstay and the world has been talking about him. He’s even earned himself a nomination for Euro 2024.

The Hague’s contract expires next summer. However, there is an option in the contract for a one-year extension. According to Sky Sports, the management plan to offer the 54-year-old a new and longer contract to show their support for the coach.

Sky Sports, Transfermarkt, BBC