Jurgen Klopp cupped his ear as he exited to another rendition of 'Jurgen's cracking up' 15 years on from 'Rafa's cracking up. The difference back then was United were Liverpool's challengers for the title. Now they are barely worthy of the status of also-rans.
As resilient as United were to avoid defeat to Liverpool, the result ensured there will be no more questions about Champions League qualification at Erik ten Hag's press conferences. The question now is which Europa competition United will participate in next season. That is how far United have fallen.
Out of Europe entirely before Christmas, a League Cup defence that ended at the second hurdle with a 3-0 home defeat and destined to finish sixth at best in the league table, United's season has been undeniably bad. The supporters sang about their upcoming FA Cup semi-final and that offers deliverance.
Winning that trophy would be a flattering end to an unflattering season but league form is the reliable barometer and United have a paltry win percentage of 48 in 2023-24.
Ten Hag's future hangs in the balance and the suggestion United could wait for football administrators to stop tending to their gardens to make a definitive decision on his position is unrealistic.
Here's how the evidence stacks up.
● THE CASE FOR KEEPING TEN HAG
●Development of young players
Willy Kambwala was on the United bench for the first time against Liverpool at Anfield less than four months ago and on Sunday he started against them. It is to Kambwala's immense credit he has gained such exposure when his first three years at United were effectively a write-off due to several significant injuries.
After Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong at Ajax, Ten Hag has hothoused teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, invaluable and untouchable United academy graduates.
この記事は Manchester Evening News の April 09, 2024 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は Manchester Evening News の April 09, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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