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Manchester United workers imagine Steve McClaren “might step in as caretaker” ought to Erik ten Hag’s place as supervisor change into untenable earlier than the top of the season.
The INEOS Sport staff – who gained full management over the sporting operation at Outdated Trafford following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ratification as co-owner of the membership in February – are content material with the Dutchman remaining in cost till after the pivotal FA Cup remaining in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on the finish of the month.
Nevertheless, there was zero indication from the membership’s new rulers over their long-term assist of Ten Hag, with the style wherein United completed the season – each when it comes to outcomes in addition to performances – considered pivotal to any choice.
Which is why Monday evening’s defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park will doubtless show a dying knell for the 54-year-old supervisor’s time at Outdated Trafford.
United had been fully outplayed by a rampant Palace aspect who minimize by means of a makeshift backline, comprised of an out-of-position Casemiro and an injured Jonny Evans, with ease, en path to a 4-0 demolition. Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta had been imperious, however is not going to have confronted a neater night’s work this season.
Whereas this disjointed defensive partnership gives some respite to criticism of Ten Hag’s staff, it doesn’t start to excuse what an abject efficiency they produced as a collective. But it’s the kind of match which has change into customary this season.
If Monday evening existed in isolation then it might conceivably be excused or dismissed as an off day, however it doesn’t.
There was little distinction between the efficiency at Selhurst Park and the one six weeks in the past on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium, exterior of medical ending.
Brentford had been desperately unfortunate to solely come away with some extent in a 1-1 draw, having hit the woodwork 4 occasions. With extra care in entrance of purpose, the Bees would have produced an much more dominant end result over Ten Hag’s aspect than Palace, with the xG (anticipated objectives) for each video games underscoring this.
Brentford (3.11) 1-1 (0.51) Man Utd
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) March 30, 2024
xG – Brentford (3.11) 1-1 (0.51) Man Utd
Crystal Palace (1.63) 4-0 (0.41) Man Utd
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) Might 6, 2024
xG – Crystal Palace (1.63) 4-0 (0.41) Man United
Within the aftermath of the match at Selhurst Park, Paul Scholes and Michael Owen had been apoplectic of their rage at Ten Hag, believing the end result needed to the straw which broke the camel’s again.
Owen was adamant the Dutchman “merely can not supervisor the staff subsequent season” whereas Scholes revealed the match “felt very related” to the 4-1 defeat away to Watford which marked the top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure as United supervisor.
Curiously, each former United stars supported the potential for assistant coach McClaren taking on on an interim foundation, believing Ten Hag was not “letting him contact that staff” as a result of McClaren was too good of a coach for a aspect below his stewardship to look as dismal as they did.
“We’ve performed below Steve. He’s coached us. There’s no means his fingerprints are wherever close to that staff. He’s a superb coach. And that staff just isn’t being coached in any respect. No means,” Owen revealed, with Scholes in full settlement.
And, in response to Chris Wheeler (Day by day Mail), the thought of McClaren taking on is one shared by workers at Outdated Trafford: “Ineos will let him keep in cost for the remainder of the season, though it has been prompt amongst workers that Steve McClaren might step in as caretaker if the state of affairs goes into meltdown.”
With the prospect of Arsenal and Newcastle within the subsequent week and a remaining day journey away to Brighton, there are three separate alternatives for a United “meltdown” earlier than the season-defining FA Cup remaining at Wembley on Might 25. It’s completely conceivable, based mostly on the continuation of (or lack thereof) performances in opposition to Brentford and Palace, that United lose all three remaining video games in resounding trend.
If that occurs, INEOS could also be compelled to react sooner than deliberate, however they might not must look exterior of the Outdated Trafford dressing room for a short-term various.
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