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
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to embark on somewhat of a spending spree this summer transfer window as the club’s higher-ups are looking to get business done before the 2025 Club World Cup.
With FIFA’s intercontinental club competition set to get underway in mid-June, the Blues don’t have too long to welcome in new players, but Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated their urgency regarding recruitment.
Despite having brought in four new acquisitions in a very short space of time last season, the 50-year-old argued that he wasn’t completely happy with the extent and speed of their business.
Giving a lengthy interview this week, CFG‘s founding chairman has imposed an internal deadline ahead of the lucrative knockout competition.
Speaking with club media, Khaldoon recognised that while there were incomings in January of this year, he believes they “should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do, adding that he believes it “cost [them].”
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly [the targets are], in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option”, he continues.
More importantly, he goes on to add: “We’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift. Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
He also suggested the flurry of activity this past January was not just atypical of the administration, but felt the squad fell into a crisis state with the number of injuries, insisting they “had to act.”
City have already been linked with a hugely talented and highly-rated European target in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne‘s departure and a lack of strength in depth in midfield.
An initial bid is said to have been received already and will likely be the first of many City summer signings.
He also insisted that the players who joined last season weren’t scattershot, emergency transfers (perhaps barring the resigning of İlkay Gündoğan) but were the start of the rebuild and “gives [fans] an idea of what’s coming this summer.”
Another player linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who scored in big moments during their Europa League run this year, registering 32 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Who would you like to see added to Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, then, Man City fans?
You can watch Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s interview in full down below:
Danny Jones -
17th April 2024 
