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
Manchester City’s Stadium Tours are back for the summer and bigger than ever
Danny Jones
Manchester City stadium tours are back for summer 2026, with more to see from the home of the Blues than ever, and with 15% off all tickets until the end of August, too.
It’s safe to say that Man City are going through a HUGE period of change right now: embarking on a new era under Enzo Maresca following the dynasty of Pep Guardiola, vast redevelopments of the wider Etihad Campus, a new club hotel, and the expansion of the North Stand – now named after said Catalan coach.
With that in mind, there’s so much new stuff going on over in East Manchester and arguably more of it all happening in one place than we can recall in recent memory, making it the perfect time for Cityzens to return to the famous home ground – indeed, your Etihad debut if you haven’t made one already.
Giving you greater access to areas usually reserved for players and staff only than ever, this exclusive, interactive and virtual tour will take you through the very bones of the storied sporting arena, all the way through to pitchside.
Fans can explore the dressing room and follow in the footsteps of their favourite City players as they walk through the iconic glass players’ tunnel, before walking out into the open air and sitting in the dugout to take in that incredible view.
You can also try out the latest ‘Beyond the Blue Moon’ experience – an immersive VR adventure that sees supporters journey through Manchester City’s past, present, and future.
Following on from Pep lending his likeness, using innovative technology, you can now even have the chance to put your questions to Erling Haaland in the Press Conference Room.
There aren’t many teams on the planet that offer this level of stadium tour, let alone just here in the UK, so it’s no wonder they remain award-winning almost every single year.
Whether you’re a lifelong City fan, a football lover or visiting this wonderful place we call Manchester for the very first time, there’s something for everyone.
For instance, with The Medlock Hotel and accompanying Medlock Square already lining up its maiden events, the City Football Group (CFG) are once again committing to make the wider Etihad Campus an all-year-round entertainment destination.
That being said, plenty of people online have been generating a lot of buzz about the aforementioned Medlock’s new stadium-view rooms since clips appeared on social media.
Pitch view rooms coming to the Radisson Blu Medlock Hotel at #ManCity’s Etihad Stadium. 🤯
As for the tickets themselves, the club have also taken steps to keep the cost affordable.
Standard prices start from just £32 for adults and only £20 for under-16s, with larger family packages available from £60.
BUT, with the 15% discount mentioned earlier, adults currently cost just £27; kids go for just £17, and those family passes start from just £51.
You can find all the options when it comes to stadium tour passes and grab the type of admission that suits you right HERE.
Speaking of tickets, City have also been met with praise for the introduction of new discounted seats for local residents; find out all the details below.
René Meulensteen names the ‘ideal’ signing that Man United appear to be overlooking
Danny Jones
Ex-Manchester United coach René Meulensteen has named the one key signing that he feels the Red Devils are missing out on by not pursuing this summer.
The former Man United assistant, who served under Sir Alex and has recently returned to the backrooms of the English football pyramid, has given his verdict on what he thinks his old club still needs in terms of reinforcements.
Chatting with TipmanTips, the 62-year-old identified the backline as a persisting problem area for now full-time manager Michael Carrick, insisting that they could do with another central defender.
The footballer in question is his fellow countryman, Micky van de Ven – fresh from a new contract with Tottenham Hotspur – who has surprised many by not securing his next big-money move so far in the transfer window.
We are delighted to announce that Micky van de Ven has signed a new contract with the Club!
Speaking in an exclusive interview, he said his Dutch compatriot wouldn’t just be a great rotation player but a starter coming into the 2026/26 season.
“I still think they’re vulnerable at the back”, says Meulensteen, “and that’s one thing Michael is going to have to sort out as soon as possible when the season starts. Finding a centre-back partnership that works and getting some consistency in the back line will be key.
“Harry Maguire is coming off a good end to last season, but he needs some complementary centre-backs next to him, and then also on the right-hand side next to him with Mazraoui and Dalot not really doing anything.”
“I would have been looking at Micky van de Ven from Spurs before he signed a new deal. He’s powerful, he’s quick, he’s got great experience in playing as a left centre back in the Premier League, and he would have given United a very different dynamic in their defence.
He rounded off the recommendation, however late, by arguing that were Maguire to be a mainstay first-choice centre-half for Carrick this season, “van de Ven would’ve meant you wouldn’t have to worry about his lack of pace in behind, as he can cover so much ground recovering.”
As for who they have brought in so far, they’ve managed a well-balanced, albeit limited number of young and experienced talents, including the surprise return of greatest-ever goalscorers (currently 13th on the all-time list at still just 28) in Marcus Rashford.
While he did go on to cite the likes of Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke as a viable alternative, it’s fair to say he would be high up on the shortlist of many fans – and not just United.
On the other hand, we’d once again reiterate that we include ourselves among those stunned that he hasn’t had more suitors floating around of late, especially given he was one of the few bright lights among a side that nearly got relegated last term.
Would you have him as another CB option, Reds?
As for the one-time United assistant, he has recently been introduced to Stockport County FC supporters as the latest addition to the technical staff in an admittedly curious new position…
Danny Jones -
17th April 2024 
