Manchester United already have Erik ten Hag’s perfect replacement
Manchester United are facing their worst start to a season in 37 years, marked by a recent defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League under Erik ten Hag.
Although the board might still support Ten Hag, there is a strong alternative candidate available if they change their stance.
The Dutchman, who became manager in 2022, has received significant financial backing in the transfer market to shape the team.
Substantial investments have been made in players like Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Andre Onana.
Manchester still have faith in Erik
Initially, Ten Hag seemed to steer the club in the right direction, securing a top-four finish and ending a six-year trophy drought in his debut season.
However, the team has struggled to maintain that momentum and now finds itself in a challenging position at the start of the new season.
United have suffered six losses in their first 10 games across all competitions, a situation not seen since 1986.
The defeat to Galatasaray has further complicated their chances of advancing to the Champions League, and they are already trailing by seven points in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
While there’s an argument for giving Ten Hag more time to implement his long-term vision, there may come a point where a decision must be made if the team’s fortunes do not improve.
The backup plan for Man United
The club may have contingency plans in place, and Graham Potter could be a prime candidate.
Potter, 48, was highly regarded as an up-and-coming coach during his time at Brighton before facing challenges during his brief stint at Chelsea.
He was tasked with overseeing significant changes at Stamford Bridge, which proved difficult given the club’s ongoing spending.
Chelsea’s current issues indicate that Potter might not have been entirely to blame for his struggles at the club.
United can look at Brighton’s progress under Potter as evidence of his managerial potential, particularly in developing young talent into top players.
United might benefit from taking a similar approach and could make a smart decision by appointing Potter if they decide to change their direction.
While Ten Hag remains confident in his ability to turn things around, signs of discontent among United fans are becoming evident, with the team being booed off the field recently.
Potter is reportedly attracting interest from various clubs across Europe, including Rangers, but he is said to prefer a Premier League role.
His willingness to wait could work in United’s favor, and he would be eager to prove his capabilities at the highest level once more.
