Sir Alex Ferguson has been tipped to make a shock return to Manchester United as pressure mounts on current manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag is under increasing pressure after the Red Devils went on a five-match winless streak in all competitions before this FIFA Days. Despite rumours of a possible sacking, the Dutchman looks set to remain at Old Trafford . However, he will have to improve his form quickly if he wants to keep his job at United.
Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to guarantee Ten Hag’s future despite extending the former Ajax captain’s contract until 2026 this summer.
Asked by the BBC ahead of the international break whether he still had faith in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe replied: “I don’t want to answer that question… I like Erik. I think he’s a very good manager, but ultimately it’s not my decision. The Manchester United board will have to decide how best to run the team.”
This summer, United have been looking for potential candidates to replace Ten Hag. The Red Devils are said to have interviewed a number of candidates, including Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, before deciding to keep the Dutchman. Currently, Tuchel and former England coach Gareth Southgate are still among the potential candidates to replace Ten Hag if he is sacked, along with assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The current instability of MU is a far cry from the stability and success under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. Ferguson established himself as one of the greatest managers in the history of world football during his 27 years in charge of MU. Under his direction, the Red Devils won 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 2 Champions Leagues. In 2013, Sir Alex decided to retire and MU also went downhill from there.
Despite being 83 years old, there are still many opinions that Ferguson could cause a surprise if he returns to the coaching bench. Former England international Paul Gascoigne has called on United to bring Ferguson back to lead the team “for another season” if they decide to sack Ten Hag.
Asked if Ten Hag could last until Christmas, Gascoigne told SportsCasting: “Like I did as a player, I know I’m good. It doesn’t matter who I play against or who I replace, it doesn’t matter. To succeed Alex Ferguson, many people, even Jose Mourinho didn’t last long, David Moyes didn’t either.”
Gascoigne continued: “Looking at Ten Hag, I feel a bit sorry for him. I would love for Alex Ferguson to come back for just one season and see what he can do with those players, because I think some of them don’t respect Ten Hag. You have to respect him and Man United is a big club. I think some of the players don’t realise the importance of who they play for.”
However, the possibility of Ferguson returning to United as manager remains very unlikely, even if Ten Hag is fired. Before his successor David Moyes was fired in 2013, Ferguson stated that he had no intention of returning to management.
“I’m not interested in managing the team or worrying about results at United,” Ferguson said at the time, aged 71. “You’d be throwing money out the window if you bet on me coming back as manager. United are in good hands with David Moyes. He’ll be fine. I’ve made my decision. The timing was perfect. There’s no going back for me. I’ve got a new life.”
