Manchester United legend Wes Brown has come out to recommend Erik ten Hag be given at least “one more season” as the discussion surrounding his future at Old Trafford continues to ramp up.
With Man United still underperforming in the league and very hot and cold in terms of overall form, to say the least, many fans are now wondering how long ten Hag has left in the job as the new owners continue to rebuild the club.
As the 54-year-old heads into an FA Cup semi-final this Sunday – United‘s only shot at winning silverware this season and arguably the only potential mark of tangible success this year as the sizeable between the European place remains – some supporters seem to already consider this as his only chance of avoiding the sack.
Despite winning the Carabao Cup in his first campaign last season, we all know how ruthless football management can be, but Wes Brown has now urged the administration not to be rash in any decision-making regardless of whether there’s a trophy at the end of the tunnel this May.
Speaking to BBC and Premier League presenter Manish Banish on the In The Zone podcast, the double Champions League winner said United shouldn’t be looking to change managers again any time soon, insisting “they should have a respectful three or four years to get what they want done”.
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“They have to give him one more season, it’s simple”, says Brown, adding: “I think the manager has done enough in the first two seasons to secure another season.”
Still an ambassador at United and regular on MUTV, the 44-year-old ex-defender was highly vocal and full of praise in his support of ten Hag last year, stating that he believes the Dutchman brought a “change in attitude” to the set-up and has been good at ensuring there is “no messing about“.
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However, things have been far from straightforward for the former Ajax coach this time around, as the Red Devils have struggled for consistency in the league and been left blighted by injuries. The unfortunate records this season certainly haven’t helped either.
Nevertheless, the five-time Premier League champion went on to remind that, “United have had big-name managers in and it’s all been the same, so something is not right somewhere. You have to give the manager time because if you want to kick on and injuries have stopped him doing what he’s wanted to do this year.
“[Lisandro] Martinez is a big miss, he changed things a little bit for United; he brings power to the defensive line – just like [Raphael] Varane.
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He did admit that “this season is a tough watch” and it’s not a great time to be a Red in Manchester but did reiterate the good work and progress made by the manager last year: “a good league finish and two finals and a cup – this is where they want to be.”
Brown also argued that, at many stages during the current campaign, United simply haven’t looked like a team and rather just a “bunch of individuals”, noting that the aforementioned injury crisis has only compounded the failure to properly “gel” as a unit as he notes the top three clearly are.
Ultimately, he said that it just boils down to the squad being too mercurial and really living up to the ‘game of two halves’ footballing stereotype; “We can be really good and exciting and then really poor at the same time” – especially in the league, as he sees it.
As Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the growing number of new INEOS-backed executives continue to be appointed to the board, the likes of Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, the ex-Seagulls coach Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel and even Gareth Southgate have all been floated as potential replacements.
What do you think, Reds: would you give ten Hag more time or is beating Coventry City this weekend and going on to win the FA Cup a must for the Man United manager?
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You can watch Wes Brown’s take on Erik ten Hag’s future, what needs to happen at the club and more in full down below:
Featured Images — In The Zone (via YouTube)/Man United (via Instagram)
Sport
Mary Earps admits her future at Manchester United is still uncertain
Danny Jones
Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps has admitted that her future with Manchester United Women remains uncertain as the two parties are still yet to reach an agreement over a new contract.
Having won Euro 2022 and the Finalissima with England, not to mention the club’s first Women’s FA Cup earlier this month, Earps has become one of the most in-demand female players on the planet.
United rejected a bid for 2023’s Sports Personality of the Year last year following her further heroics in the Women’s World Cup but she is still yet to commit herself to a new deal, admitting that she’s waiting for clearer answers from them “on what they’re trying to achieve”.
Speaking to Sky Sports this week, the 31-year-old said, in short: “It’s kind of up to the club”.
Earps went on to explain that “conversations are still ongoing” and that “it’s a tough situation” but that she doesn’t want to make any rash or emotional decisions until she has a clearer picture of United’s long-term vision.
“The beginning of the season was really tough”, said the Nottingham-born shot-stopper. “I felt really upset about things that were being said about me that weren’t true but I’ve tried to be professional, keep my head down and just work hard.
“I’ve tried to shoulder that responsibility of the team, the performance and where we fell short this season – I think that’s what you should do as a leader and a more experienced player. You have to stand up in those moments and I know I’ve given my heart and soul”.
While it’s clear there’s still lots of passion from the United and England number one, she insists that she can only make a final decision once she gets the answers she’s after.
As for the Red Devils themselves, despite winning their first major trophy since reforming, they ended the Women’s Super League on a sour note, handing the title to Chelsea following a 6-0 drubbing – in front of the Old Trafford crowd no less.
Moreover, there seems to be a growing rift in the fan base as many supporters were frustrated to see manager Marc Skinner given a new contract despite calls for him to be sacked following a lacklustre domestic season.
Were Earps to ultimately depart as well, the mood around the club might dip even further.
Featured Images — Man United Women/Mary Earps/England (via Instagram)
Sport
Full list of road closures announced as IRONMAN 2024 takes over Bolton next month
Emily Sergeant
The official route and full list of road closures have been announced, as Bolton prepares to host the IRONMAN next month.
Bolton has been the proud home of the UK’s IRONMAN race since 2009, and the world-renowned triathlon is all set to take over the Greater Manchester town once again in a couple of weeks time – with participants and spectators in thousands all preparing to flock to all four corners of the borough to the catch the action.
People of all ages and abilities – even including kids – are training to take part in three different events across the weekend.
And, as is always the case, residents and road users are being urged to plan ahead.
Disruption is always expected by Bolton residents on the day, but this year, when IRONMAN 70.3 takes over the town on Sunday 30 June, temporary road closures will affect different areas than in previous years, and this is due to “significant changes” to the bike and running routes for the 2024 race.
Bolton Council has, however, assured residents that the shorter distance of this year’s race means road closures will be briefer.
Temporary road closures are needed to “ensure the safety” of competitors and spectators.
One of the borough’s major roads, Chorley New Road, now forms part of the bike route for this year, and the run route has also changed slightly too, but for the most part, it all remains concentrated around the town centre to minimise disruption as best as possible.
⚠️ Road closures for IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton, June 28 – June 30.
For safety reasons, roads in the area will be closed at various times and unfortunately some disruption is inevitable.
The town centre and Middlebrook retail park will be open as normal all weekend, but anyone driving into the town centre is advised to park at one of the car parks – which will be open as normal – rather than elsewhere or in the surrounding areas.
Anyone heading to Middlebrook from Bolton is advised to use Wigan Road (A676 / A58), to Manchester Road / Chorley Road (A6), and then use De Havilland Way (A6027) to reach the retail park.
Road closures in and around the town centre for the ‘Night Run’ on Friday 28 June, and for IRONKIDS on Saturday 29 June, remain the same as in previous years, and people are advised to check Bolton Council’s website for more information on this.
Full list of road closures for IRONMAN 2024
All weekend:
Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North, and Howell Croft South will be closed from Friday 28 June at 6am to 9am on Monday 1 July, due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.
Friday 28 June – Night Run:
Deansgate, Knowsley Street, Chorley Street, Bark Street, Back Bark Street, and Bridge Street will be closed from 5:30-9pm
Spa Road will be closed eastbound from 5:30-9pm
Saturday 29 June – IRONKIDS:
Le Mans Crescent will be closed all day
Deansgate will be closed from 6am-5pm
Sunday 30 June 30 – IRONMAN 70.3:
St Helen’s Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane, Slag Lane and Lowton Road will be closed from 6-10am
Wigan Road/Warrington Road (A573) will be closed from 6-10:30am
Bickershaw Lane, a short section of the A578, Nel Pan Lane, and Westleigh Lane will be closed from 6-10:45am
Atherleigh Way (A579) between St Helen’s Road and Kirkhall Lane will be closed northbound only from 6-9:45am
Atherleigh Way (A579) will be closed northbound only between Kirkhall Lane and the Talbot roundabout from 6-10:45am
Gibfield Park Way and Gibfield Park Avenue will be closed from 6:30-11am
North Road from the junction with Gibfield Park Avenue, Platt Lane, and the A58 from Platt Lane to the Chequerbent roundabout, will be closed from 6:30-11am.
The bikes will turn left using Park Road/Manchester Road slip and will continue west on Manchester Road (A6), but these roads will be closed westbound only from 7-11am
Chew Moor Lane / Tempest Road to Regent Road, and Regent Road to Chorley New Road, will be closed 7-11am
De Havilland Way will be closed northbound from 7am-1pm
Victoria Road (A58) and Old Kiln Lane will be closed from 7am-1pm
Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to the Beehive Roundabout will be closed eastbound from 7am-1pm, but there will be access westbound throughout the day
Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to Waterslea Drive will be closed from 7am-1:30pm
Chorley New Road from Waterslea Drive to St George’s Road (B6226) will be closed from 7am-5:30pm
Chew Moor Lane, St John’s Road, Tempest Road, and Regent Road will be closed from 7-11:15am
Chorley Street, Bark Street, St Helena’s Road, Blackhorse Street, and Queen Street will be closed 7am-3:30pm
Spa Road will be closed from 6am-6pm
More information on the course and diversions to avoid road closures – including maps and timings – can now be found on the IRONMAN website.
A road access hotline for further information is also available six-weeks prior to the events, and throughout the race weekend, by calling 03330 11 66 00.