Erik ten Hag's Man Utd future could be decided by four make or break fixtures
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag may have his eye on the Red Devils' final run of fixtures at the end of the season.
The Dutchman earned the trust of the United hierarchy towards the back end of the last campaign by winning his final two Premier League matches and winning the FA Cup. United endured a difficult time in the Dutchman's second season, exiting the Champions League at the group stages and finishing 8th in the Premier League.
At times, the former Ajax manager looked destined for the sack, particularly when the club were linked with the likes of Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town and ex-Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. Eventually, United decided that Ten Hag would remain in his post – and he may even be set to sign a new contract at the club.
Ten Hag now knows what lays ahead for the coming campaign after the fixtures were released. And, depending how United fare in the FA Cup and the Europa League, the concluding weeks of the season could present the Red Devils with an arduous run of matches.
United will be competing on four fronts next season: the Premier League, the League Cup, the FA Cup and the Europa League. While the Carabao Cup final concludes in February, should the Red Devils reach the FA Cup Final – as they have done in the last two seasons – they will contest the showpiece at Wembley on May 17.
If that happens, their scheduled Premier League game against Chelsea on May 18 will have to be moved. The natural rearranged date for that fixture is a few days later, before the final round of top-flight games on May 25.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag kicks the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England
However, United will be among the favourites to win the Europa League and will contest the final on May 21, if they go all the way in the competition. Thus ruling out the possibility of the Chelsea fixture being played on that date.
Given United can only book their spot in the FA Cup final on the weekend of April 26 – and the Europa League semi-finals take place on May 1 and May 8, it would only realistically leave the midweek slot of May 13 to face the Blues.
It means United could face a decisive run of games towards the end of the season that includes Chelsea on May 13, the FA Cup final on May 17, the Europa League final on May 21 and their final game of the Premier League season against Aston Villa on May 25.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (right) and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery react during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham.
Those four games could make or break Ten Hag's third season in charge of United – if he lasts that long. The Dutchman's future had been up in the air for some time but now looks to have the confidence of United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United spoke to other coaches about the prospect of taking over the reins at Old Trafford, with Ten Hag well aware of that fact. The former Ajax man cannot afford a repeat of the disappointing domestic campaign United endured last season.
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