Roy Keane has not ruled out Erik ten Hag being sacked by Manchester United in “October or November” and dismissed the significance of the Dutchman’s new contract.
Ten Hag survived an internal review from new minority owners Ineos that assessed all aspects of the club at the end of the season and was handed a 12-month extension to a deal that was due to expire at the end of the coming campaign.
United finished eighth in the Premier League in 2023-24 but ended the season on a high by defeating Manchester City to win the FA Cup.
Keane says it was right to extend Ten Hag’s deal but thinks United need to get off to a strong start to avoid speculation over his position starting once again.
The boss on #MUTOUR24 👊🇺🇸#MUFC pic.twitter.com/4kGXuqDLn3
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 30, 2024
The former United captain told the Stick to Football podcast: “The cup game gave him some breathing space and rightly so, but he can’t be finishing eighth next year.
“They have to be competing next year in the top four. It’s going to be hard to win but it’s about competing, the records they’ve created the last 12 months in the league, it’s so poor.”
What did Keane say about Ten Hag?
On Ten Hag, he added: “He only had one year left on his contract and they didn’t want the uncertainty going into the new season.
“The clauses will still be the same and it’s not to mean that they won’t get rid of him in October or November, it’s just a message to give him a backing.”
United’s review did result in several off-field changes with Omar Berrada poached from City to become CEO, Dan Ashworth finally installed as sporting director and Jason Wilcox joining as technical director.
United are currently on a pre-season tour in the United States. They lost 2-1 to Arsenal at the weekend – a game that saw new signing Leny Yoro suffer a potentially serious injury – and take on Real Betis overnight tonight.
