Man United Star Claims Major Sir Ratcliffe decision ‘Damaged’ the Team Last Season
Speculation surrounding Erik ten Hag’s position had a negative impact on the squad, claimed an experienced member of the side.
Harry Maguire has said the uncertainty over Erik ten Hag’s future ‘damaged’ Manchester United’s results and performances last season.
Speculation surrounding Ten Hag’s position dominated for long spells of 2023/24, culminating in reports on the eve of the FA Cup final that he was about to be sacked. However, the Dutchman ultimately remained at the club and signed a new deal over the summer, even if United reached out to several potential replacements, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi.
Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe also repeatedlyfailed to back Ten Hag throughout the campaign, with all signs pointing to a probable departure. That it didn’t end in that manner, is testament to the manager’s measured response to the rumours, claimed Maguire.
“It was tough,” the defender told reporters in the USA ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles. “Some of the things that came out in the lead up to the cup final were really poor, I felt. He handled it brilliantly, to be honest. He just took each day as it comes.
“We didn’t see anything different in the manager, so credit to him for the way he handled it – and all his staff as well – because there was so much uncertainty around the club. They didn’t know what was happening the following year.
“It probably did damage our performances and results throughout the season a little bit. Especially when it happened around that Christmas period when we really did fall off.
“But credit to the manager. He just carried on day to day as he has been, training and then preparing for the game as well as he could. He could have downed tools and maybe just thought his time was over, but he definitely didn’t do that.”
Maguire even admitted that during the post-FA Cup final celebrations that players were unsure whether the manager was set to stay, but expressed his delight that Ten Hag retained his post.
The ex-Leicester City centre-back could be in line to play his first minutes since April when United take on Arsenal in the early hours of Sunday morning, After that, the Red Devils face pre-season friendlies against Real Betis and Liverpool, before the season commences with the FA Cup final against Manchester City on 10 August.
