Erik ten Hag has had a mixed tenure at Manchester United so far having secured two domestic cup wins but struggled to make an impact in the league and Europe.
There was talk following last season that the club could part ways with the Dutch manager, yet on the contrary, he was offered fresh contract terms. Now ten Hag must justify the faith that has been placed in him.
His team must achieve three vital goals this year, both to elevate the team back to the elite level and to ensure his long-term position is safe.
Finish in the top four
The number one requirement for ten Hag this year is to guide his team to a top-four finish as the Red Devils are a team that belongs in the UEFA Champions League.
His team are expected to battle against several familiar rivals for a top-four place including Liverpool who they will face early in the season. In the Man Utd vs Liverpool odds, the latter are 4/5 favourites which means ten Hag’s team could make a huge statement with an upset victory.
The Premier League 2024/25 bet market offers United as a 3/1 outsider behind Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle United besides their Merseyside rivals. However, if ten Hag’s team can secure some positive head-to-head results – potentially beginning with the Liverpool fixture – then predictions could quickly change.
Erik ten Hag’s men have so far finished comfortably in the top four and comfortably outside of it, on different occasions at United. He will hope to build a trend based on the former this season, rather than the latter.
Make a deep European competition run
While United missed out on Champions League qualification in 2023/24, their Emirates FA Cup victory against Manchester City earned them a place in the UEFA Europa League for the current season.
The club has certainly not set Europe alight under the Dutch coach’s management so far. They finished fourth in their UCL group last season and were knocked out by Sevilla in the Europa League knockouts in ten Hag’s debut 22/23 campaign. This means that a convincing run in Europe is long overdue for the current coach.
With the new UEFA competition format meaning UCL clubs do not drop into the Europa League for the knockout stage, United should be aiming to go all of the way.
In terms of personnel, they are no doubt one of the strongest teams set to feature – anything less than a route to the semi-finals would be disappointing for what is now a deep and talented squad.
Implement a consistent structure and style
Erik ten Hag has delivered trophies and at times exciting football to Old Trafford despite seemingly never sticking to a fixed structure and style. The Dutch tactician has switched between a 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1 and even experimented with three-defender formations during his tenure.
Fluctuating defensive line heights and altered midfield roles have also been common under ten Hag, as he has struggled to decide on his team’s level of intensity and aggression – both in and out of possession.
This season besides delivering tangible success, the former Ajax manager needs to settle on a long-term philosophy for his team as that is the first step to achieving consistent performances and results.
Ultimately, ten Hag still has a huge amount to prove this campaign despite entering his third season in the job. He must get United back amongst the European elite, and fight their current continental endeavours, besides finally giving his team a tactical identity.
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