Erik ten Hag may have received a vote of confidence from Manchester United officials, but Michael Owen believes the manager will be “under pressure” by the third game of the 2018 Premier League season.
Last season, Ten Hag presided over United’s worst campaign in decades, as the Red Devils finished eighth in the league and were eliminated from the Champions League in the group round. Despite widespread rumours that Ten Hag would be replaced this summer, the club granted him a one-year extension.
However, things can change quickly in sports, and Owen believes Ten Hag must get the squad off to a fast start or he may be fired just weeks into the new season.
“How long Erik ten Hag will remain as Manchester United manager if things don’t turn around will depend on their performances, who they lose to and how they lost them,” Owen told Casino Hawks on Monday.
“They face Liverpool three games into the season, and if that goes badly, it will put more pressure on his position.
“I believe it is safe to say that if he does not start the season well, he will be one of the first managers to face pressure. He’ll always point to the two trophies he’s won, and the FA Cup has certainly bought him time.
“But another factor to consider at the moment is that Manchester United has a lot of new faces, and none of them had a say in Ten Hag’s appointment.”
“So, right away, if things go wrong, it’s no skin off their noses in a variety of ways. Of course, they want the club to succeed, but that was not their appointment.
“So they’re almost buying themselves an extra life by saying, let’s try to keep going but if it goes wrong, then of course the next person will be our man.”
Leave a Reply