Louis Van Gaal has claimed that Erik Ten Hag has not “done things fantastically” at Manchester United and he also shared his thoughts on the future of his Dutch compatriot.
Reports indicate that the Red Devils are involved with an end-of-season review which, when completed, will provide clarity on the future of Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made many changes to transform the English giants, with the aim of taking the club back to its glory days.
Given the administrative changes that have been made, speculations have also filtered in that Erik Ten Hag could also be dismissed by the Manchester-based side.
Louis Van Gaal On Erik Ten Hag At Manchester United
Anyway, Van Gaal has expressed that Ten Hag should remain as boss of Manchester United even though he was booted out of the club right after winning the FA Cup in 2016.
Speaking during an interview with Sky Sports, the Dutchman said: “Yes, of course (should be given more time). But I also needed more time at that time.
“I also won the FA Cup and before me 20 years nobody (at Man United) won the FA Cup.”
The 72-year-old also called for Erik Ten Hag to be handed more time, even though “he has not done things fantastically.”
Van Gaal said: “Now Erik is winning the FA Cup and the first year also (qualified for) the Champions League so I don’t think you have to sack him. He need more time.
“But I can also be more critical. He has not done things fantastically. You can raise a lot of criticism but he has also shown that he is a good manager”.
Ten Hag’s Spell As Boss Of The Old Trafford Side
Erik Ten Hag was appointed manager of Manchester United in July 2022 and he had an impressive first season with the English side after joining from Ajax.
He ended the 2022/23 season 3rd on the log, with fans expecting an improved outing in the 2023/24 season.
However, Ten Hag’s side had a disastrous season, finishing the campaign in 8th position on the Premier League table – their worst-ever finish in a Premier League campaign.
Their outing in the UEFA Champions League was over before Christmas after they crashed out of the competition following a bottom-placed finish in their group, which featured teams like Bayern Munich, Copenhagen, and Galatasaray.
Manchester United also couldn’t defend the Carabao Cup title after losing to Newcastle United in the round.
Meanwhile, Erik Ten Hag’s side ended the season on a high, as they defeated city rivals Manchester City to secure their 13th FA Cup title.
Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put the Red Devils in a comfortable 2-0 lead before Jeremy Doku halved the deficit for the Cityzens in the dying embers of the affair.
Despite Manchester United heavily backing Ten Hag in the transfer market during the summer of 2023, the Dutchman couldn’t lead the club to a remarkable season.
Erik Ten Hag acquired players like Mason Mount, Rasmus Højlund, and Andre Onana, but he couldn’t get them to produce lovely results.
It is left to be seen if he will remain at Old Trafford in the upcoming season, although Gareth Southgate appears to be the favorite choice of the INEOS owners of Manchester United.
