Manchester United and the title fight? Not even next season, Erik ten Hag is already clear. After the draw with Burnley, he said his team are playing some of the most entertaining football in the league

It was 2013, when Manchester United were still celebrating their last league title with Sir Alex Ferguson on the bench. Since then, several coaches have come through the club. If we count the interim ones, Erik ten Hag is the eighth in a row. But the successful era has not been followed up. And according to the Dutch strategist, that won’t be the case next season either.

Sir Alex Ferguson has won an incredible 38 trophies with the Red Devils. He has made Manchester United the most successful club in English football history, holding the most titles. Since his demise in 2013, however, the giant has become the butt of jokes and laughter.

The aforementioned eight managers who have tried to succeed the legendary Scotsman have only managed to win four in total. One is credited to current coach Erik ten Hag, who celebrated a League Cup victory in the 2022/23 season.

After all, the Dutchman has plenty of experience in winning trophies. In less than five years at Ajax, he collected six of them. Manchester United, however, is languishing under his leadership. Game-wise, result-wise, all sorts of things. Besides, it seems more and more that the Red Devils’ manager can’t handle the pressure he faces.

Recently, he angrily walked out of a press conference after being asked by a journalist. Fans are increasingly calling for his dismissal. This is also due to the often alibi-like and unambitious statements, or blaming someone or something else, such as the referees.

This season, Manchester United will be happy to finish in the top six. But what next? Next year, the title fight? Erik ten Hag has a different answer to that.

Manchester United? A title fight in a year’s time, Erik ten Hag is clear

Manchester United have won just one of their last four league games, beating last-placed Sheffield United in a dramatic battle. Otherwise, it hasn’t kept up with a floundering Chelsea, earning draws with Liverpool, Bournemouth and, most recently, penultimate-placed Burnley on Saturday. Of their last nine games, they’ve only enjoyed a win twice.

Before the Burnley game, however, Erik ten Hag was talking about whether the Red Devils will be challenging for the title next season and will therefore be in a better situation than this season. The answer? “I think if we have all the players available we will be able to fight for the top four,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s not just about two or three teams anymore. There’s Aston Villa, Tottenham, Newcastle. A lot of good teams, six or seven, that can fight for the top of the table. Let’s not forget Chelsea either. At the moment we are not in a position to fight for first or second place. But we can get close to that if we have a good transfer window,” he added.

After the draw with Burnley, he then uttered a line that amuses rival fans and worries Red Devils supporters. His team are said to be playing dynamic and some of the most entertaining football in the Premier League. Besides, he didn’t forget to criticize the referee, who he said should bear the consequences for wrong decisions. In particular, for the penalty that was not awarded in favour of his team.

Source: Sky Sports, BBC