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 seems like the situation at Manchester United has reached a critical juncture under Erik ten Hag, despite the team’s recent success in reaching the FA Cup final. The semi-final against Coventry certainly highlighted both the strengths and glaring weaknesses of Ten Hag’s reign. While the team managed to pull through on penalties, after a nervy comeback from Coventry, there are undeniable concerns about United’s form this season.

Manchester United’s issues this year are multifaceted. Although Ten Hag’s tenure started with promise, including winning the Carabao Cup last season and now reaching another domestic final, the current campaign paints a worrying picture. The FA Cup semi-final was a reminder that even against lower-league opposition, United’s ability to control matches is slipping. The near-collapse from a 3-0 lead, followed by questionable substitutions, points to deeper tactical flaws.

Defensively, the numbers are damning. With United conceding seven injury-time goals since February and having one of the worst xGA in the league, their defensive structure has been fragile. Injuries to key players like Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez may offer some explanation, but the ongoing defensive lapses suggest there are issues beyond individual absences. This has been compounded by the team’s inability to sustain attacks and pressure opponents consistently.

Offensively, United’s struggles are just as concerning. Ranked 12th in xG, they have failed to generate the kind of attacking potency expected from a top-four side. This inability to score regularly, combined with defensive frailties, has left United languishing in seventh place in the Premier League and out of the Champions League, far from the title race.

Ten Hag’s in-game decisions also raise eyebrows, as seen in the semi-final. Substituting Garnacho, who has been one of United’s most exciting young talents, and the young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, further weakened the team as Coventry clawed their way back. These changes arguably contributed to the team’s near downfall. While United did survive the scare, thanks in part to VAR’s intervention and a tense penalty shootout, the broader issues are difficult to ignore.

Given the weight of expectations at Manchester United, simply reaching finals isn’t enough. Securing a top-four finish should be a baseline for success, and currently, Ten Hag’s side is far from achieving that. With pressure mounting and the gap between United and the Premier League’s top teams growing wider, it’s hard to see how Ten Hag can turn this situation around.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the new ownership will have tough decisions to make this summer. While Ten Hag brought hope initially, the current state of the club raises legitimate questions about his future. The FA Cup final may provide some respite, but unless there’s a significant turnaround, the calls for change could become impossible to ignore.