Nicky Butt, a treble-winning former player and former head of first-team development at Manchester United, has weighed in on the growing calls for Erik ten Hag’s dismissal. Despite mounting public and media pressure, Butt argues that sacking Ten Hag would be counterproductive.
United’s co-owners, Ineos, reportedly considered dismissing Ten Hag after a disappointing season left the team in eighth place. However, a surprising FA Cup victory over Manchester City preserved Ten Hag’s position, leading to a contract extension through the next two years.
The current season has begun poorly for United, with a shaky win over Fulham followed by defeats to Brighton and Liverpool, fueling speculation about Ten Hag’s future. Despite this, Butt urges calm, emphasizing that immediate changes may not resolve the underlying issues.
“There’s no point sacking someone if there’s no suitable replacement,” Butt told The MEN. “If a club fires a manager without a clear plan for a replacement, it often leads to further problems.”
Butt advocates for patience, suggesting that Ten Hag should be given time to correct the course. “It’s just the start of the season. We’ve only played a few games. If the club is going to let him go, it should have been after last season.”
He also addressed the ongoing overhaul under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, urging fans to allow time for the new structure to take effect. “Ratcliffe’s changes won’t yield results overnight. The team has to improve, but with the right people in key positions, we should see progress in the coming years.”
The international break provides an opportunity for Ten Hag’s squad to regroup and for injured players like Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia to regain fitness. New signings Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, and Joshua Zirkzee will also use this time to adapt.
United’s next fixture is an away match against newly-promoted Southampton. A strong performance could provide Ten Hag with some much-needed breathing room and validate Butt’s call for patience.Nicky Butt’s defense of Erik ten Hag amid growing calls for his dismissal reflects a thoughtful perspective on the situation. Despite United’s rocky start to the season and pressures to make a managerial change, Butt emphasizes the importance of having a clear plan before making such decisions. He highlights that immediate changes might not address the underlying issues and advocates for patience, especially with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ongoing overhaul of the club’s structure.
Butt’s comments also stress the significance of giving Ten Hag time to implement his strategies and for the new signings to integrate effectively. With key players returning from injury and new arrivals settling in, the upcoming fixtures, starting with Southampton, could be crucial for Ten Hag to demonstrate progress and secure his position.
