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.
Wes Brown believes Erik ten Hag deserves to be given more time. (Credit: In The Zone via YouTube)
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:
Wes Brown talks about his career, Fergie and the ‘hairdryer’; ten Hag, United’s new co-owners and more.
Featured Images — In The Zone (via YouTube)/Man United (via Instagram)
Sport
Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via City Football Group)
Sport
The EFL Championship set to expand playoffs to six teams in controversial move
Danny Jones
The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed that it will be expanding the Championship playoffs to six teams moving forward.
In one of the biggest changes, not just to the second tier but the domestic football pyramid in some time, it’s so far divided opinion – and that’s putting it mildly.
Starting from next season, the Championship will see half a dozen compete in its final knockout phase, meaning that the conclusion to the 2026/27 campaign has the potential to be even tastier than ever.
Besides the increased competition this will bring to the division itself, in turn, it could also help further mix things up in the Premier League too.
Revealing the watershed news on Thursday, 5 March, the EFL shared the update online, which has certainly left fans split over the decision.
Well, in truth, it seems the majority have been left shocked and angered by the announcement, with many responding with comments like, “Who asked for this?” and “Final nail in the coffin”, as well as citing “money” and “nothing but greed” as the main drivers for the changes.
EFL clubs obviously voted for the big shake-up as the added chance of fighting their way into the top flight will no doubt benefit them financially.
It remains to be seen whether this could signal similar adjustments made further down the ranks.
However, as many replied under the posts on social media, one key fear is that a team finishing in 8th – the new threshold for making it into the playoff stages – will be “slaughtered in the Prem” and that, if anything, it will highlight and/or widen the gap between the two leagues even more.
Most simply said that the current system is just “fine as it is” and “if ain’t broke don’t fix it”, but it looks like the wheels are already well and truly in motion.
Ruining the game. Finish 6th and have a chance to get promoted. People in charge are needing rid off. Every part of English football has out of touch people in charge coming up with awful ideas to keep their pay and clubs just go along with it. Tweet from 1987
Pure greed. Ultimately downgrades the look of the championship too when a team will inevitably finish 8th, probably a good 15-20 points behind autos and go up. Then get the lowest Premier League points ever
Safe to say that this is just a small taste of the overall reactions and almost universal consensus…
As detailed in the official statement by the EFL, Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “Since their introduction in 1986/87, the Play-Offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special.
“Following several months of discussion with Clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more Clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”
They also clarified that “the exact final format will be agreed later in 2026.”
Are you a fan of a Championship club? Even if not, what do you make of the impending and controversial changes kicking off this year?
It’s mad how the EFL can sort a vote to increase the promotion opportunities for Championship clubs to the PL – yet still nothing on a second automatic place from the National League to L2.
No club promoted from the NL to L2 has ever come straight back down… https://t.co/tXy7aSOZ3l
Danny Jones -
17th April 2024 
