“I have said this multiple times but this is the final straw. Just get him out and watch the team improve” – This is according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville as he claims that Ratcliffe needs to remove a Manchester United figure who performed poorly, scoring just 1 out of 10, in the match against Coventry.

On Sunday, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, took on the challenge of completing the renowned London Marathon.

Despite crossing the finish line in four hours and 30 minutes, it turned out to be a relatively less stressful and demanding task compared to what awaited him later in the day.

Just an hour after completing the marathon, Ratcliffe found himself at Wembley Stadium for Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final match against Coventry.

The game, which seemed to be going smoothly for Erik ten Hag’s team as they led 3-0, turned into a nail-biting affair as their Championship opponents staged a remarkable comeback, nearly causing a major upset for the Red Devils.

On Sunday, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, took on the challenge of completing the renowned London Marathon.

Despite crossing the finish line in four hours and 30 minutes, it turned out to be a relatively less stressful and demanding task compared to what awaited him later in the day.

Just an hour after completing the marathon, Ratcliffe found himself at Wembley Stadium for Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final match against Coventry.

To be frank, Manchester United should have been defeated. As the match extended into extra time and reached the 121st minute, it appeared that Mark Robins’ team had secured an astonishing spot in the final.

Then came VAR, the dreaded Video Assistant Referee system. It thwarted what could have been one of the greatest upsets in the competition’s history.

Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed for offside, and the match proceeded to penalties. Casemiro, stepping up first for United, had his penalty saved.

It seemed like a nerve-wracking moment for the team in red, but fortunately, they still managed to advance, albeit narrowly.

This marks the second final in as many seasons for Erik ten Hag, who notably guided the team to victory in the Carabao Cup last term.

However, does this recent success justify his position? Arguably not. Under ten Hag’s management, United appears to be floundering, resembling a sinking ship.

Regardless of whether they secure a trophy, the new ownership should consider parting ways with him this summer.

Where has it gone wrong for Erik ten Hag? It’s a complex question. Ten Hag arrived in English football with a sterling reputation from his tenure at Ajax.
However, it’s evident that he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this season. Despite reaching the FA Cup final, Manchester United has struggled significantly throughout the campaign.

They failed to advance past the group stages of the Champions League and currently sit seventh in the Premier League, a considerable 16 points adrift of securing a spot in Europe’s elite competition next season.

Securing a top-four finish should be considered the bare minimum expectation for any manager at Manchester United. As one of football’s most prestigious institutions, they should consistently vie for the league title.

Regrettably, they are currently far from even approaching that standard. Moreover, there are scant indications that the situation will improve in the foreseeable future.

While it’s true that long-term injuries to key players like Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez have undoubtedly impacted the team, these setbacks shouldn’t significantly alter the overall style of play.

The primary area of concern lies in defense. Manchester United has alarmingly conceded seven goals during injury time in matches since the start of February.

While some may view this as a streak of bad luck, it’s clear that the issue runs deeper than mere chance.

Indeed, Ten Hag’s defensive strategies leave much to be desired. According to Understat, Manchester United ranks as the fifth-worst team in the Premier League in terms of expected goals against (xGA), with a total of 63.61. To put this into perspective, only Luton, Burnley, Sheffield United (the three teams in the relegation zone), and West Ham fare worse in this aspect.

For comparison, Arsenal boasts the best defensive record in the league, with an xGA of just 25.89. The gap between the two figures is striking.

Furthermore, Manchester United’s offensive prowess is also lacking. While they managed to score three goals at Wembley on Sunday evening, they rank 12th in the league for expected goals (xG), with a total of 50.36.

This places them below even struggling teams like Everton, who are battling against relegation.

These statistics paint a bleak picture, and then there’s the issue of substitutions. Just before Coventry’s comeback gained momentum,

Ten Hag substituted Garnacho for the unimpressive Antony. Then, at 3-1, Kobbie Mainoo was replaced by the veteran Christian Eriksen.

Indeed, Manchester United should have been able to maintain their lead, but it spoke volumes that the Dutch manager was willing to sacrifice two of his most dynamic players this season.
Omari Forson and Amad Diallo were both brought on during extra time, but by then, it was too late.

Ten Hag was already under pressure before this extraordinary match at Wembley, but now the heat is truly on.

Criticism is mounting; Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News even gave him a rating of 1/10 for his handling of the semi-final. Severe? Perhaps.

But regardless, Ten Hag’s time seems to be up. The gap between United and the Premier League’s top teams is widening with each passing day.

It was an eventful day for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and a dramatic one for Manchester United, with the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry almost ending in a shocking defeat. While Ratcliffe completed the London Marathon in a respectable 4 hours and 30 minutes, the true endurance test came later at Wembley. Despite leading 3-0, United saw their advantage slip as Coventry mounted an impressive comeback, almost securing an unlikely place in the final. A VAR decision saved United, disallowing Coventry’s late goal and pushing the game into penalties, where United ultimately prevailed.

However, the narrow escape has intensified scrutiny on Erik ten Hag’s management. While he has led United to consecutive domestic cup finals, significant concerns remain. United has faced multiple defensive lapses this season, conceding seven injury-time goals since February, and ranks among the worst in expected goals against (xGA) in the league. Offensive struggles persist too, with United ranking only 12th in expected goals (xG), falling behind clubs in relegation battles.

Ten Hag’s tactical choices, particularly his substitutions in the semi-final, have drawn criticism. Replacing Garnacho and Mainoo, two of the team’s more dynamic players, with Antony and Christian Eriksen as Coventry’s momentum grew was seen as costly. Some fans and pundits argue that Ten Hag’s substitutions and defensive approach have prevented United from sustaining consistent form.

Despite reaching a second final, Ten Hag’s tenure is under threat, with some feeling that his achievements in cup competitions mask deeper issues in the squad. Given United’s recent history and the expectations from ownership, speculation is mounting about whether a managerial change might be on the horizon.