Final flourish can’t repair Ten Hag’s season of despair
NOTHING CAN EXCUSE FINISHING EIGHTH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
ULTIMATELY, it will prove too little, too late for Erik ten Hag.
The FA Cup can never be enough to save Ten Hag because Manchester United cannot stomach mid-table mediocrity.
Not even a dramatic win in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, or more hard-luck stories about injuries, can excuse finishing eighth in the Premier League with a negative goal difference.
It would be a nice way to say farewell, with Ten Hag probably feeling like he could stick two fingers up to the United hierarchy. Two trophies in two seasons is a good return.
But if you measure that against City’s level of success, then it is nowhere near enough. After winning the Treble last season, winning the league title alone probably feels like a bit of a letdown for Pep Guardiola’s men.
It means that both teams have one thing in common. It is likely to be a summer of change. United will surely need a new manager and City’s squad will need a shake-up.
That may seem a harsh indictment on City after a record-breaking fourth consecutive title. But Guardiola’s success at the Etihad has been built on ruthless decisions, big targets and even higher ambitions.
City were not as dominant as last season – and yet were still better than the rest. That suggests their sky-high standards have slipped. Guardiola will not accept that.
Equally, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, in tandem with Sir Dave Brailsford, must impose his own vision on the club. The Old Trafford powerbrokers must bring in their own man, they must ensure the new manager can work within their structure and share their ideals. Ten Hag has been able to get results in one-off games – such as the FA Cup final – but if the result had come in the Premier League then they might have lost at home to Burnley the following week.
Two years in, they lack consistency and identity, despite earning trophies and European football. No official decision has been taken on Ten Hag’s future before the end-of-season review but the writing is on the wall.
His tactical masterclass – with an extra man in midfield – outwitted Guardiola at Wembley, but you cannot lose 14 Premier League games in a season and blame it just on injuries.
United have had far too many for that to be just bad luck.They have openly said that a medical review is being carried out.
Alejandro Garnacho’s opener came after mistakes at the heart of the City defence and Stefan Ortega’s early nerves had already unsettled his back four. United’s second was a brilliant team goal involving Marcus Rashford’s switch of play, Garnacho’s cross and man of the match Bruno Fernandes’ ice-cool pass to assist Kobbie Mainoo, United’s shining light for the future.
But do not underestimate the value of Lisandro Martinez, below. The defender is arguably United’s most important player, the glue that holds the team together.
Jeremy Doku gave City a better edge after going on at half-time, and if his goal – which Andre Onana should have stopped – had come 10 minutes earlier it might have been a different outcome.
But there was a clear warning for England ahead of this summer. Phil Foden started more on the left and was quite ineffective. In the second half, Doku occupied that space, Foden moved inside and was better.
Kevin De Bruyne could not get into the game. Even as he turns 33 this summer, surely you cannot let him go. Mateo Kovacic was taken off at half-time and City have missed Ilkay Gundogan this season.
There are dilemmas for Guardiola and areas to strengthen. Even in victory, United need a reset.
MAN CITY (4-2-3-1): Ortega 5; Walker 6, Stones 7, Ake 4 (Akanji 46, 6), Gvardiol 6; Rodri 6, Kovacic 4 (Doku 46, 6); De Bruyne 5 (Alvarez 56, 6), Bernardo 6, Foden 6; Haaland 6. Goal:
Doku 87.
MAN UTD (4-2-3-1): Onana 6; Wan-Bissaka 7, Martinez 7 (Evans
73, 6), Varane 7, Dalot 7; Mainoo 8, Amrabat 7; Garnacho 8 (Lindelof 90), McTominay 7 (Mount 90), Rashford 7 (Hojlund 73, 6); Fernandes 9.
Goals: Garnacho 30, Mainoo 39.