I apologise if this comes off as a bit of a rant and I want to clarify I respect everyone's opinion, and I've been reading the caf for years and decided to join a few weeks back but this thread sometimes boils my blood.
What I don't understand is, so many seem to be looking at the short term. United, right now, under INEOS are playing the LONG GAME. Something every United fan agrees with; The Glazers. They have been the worst thing to happen to United. For TWO years, Ten Hag was operating under the Glazers.
Let's start from the beginning.
Season 1) Ten Hag becomes United manager. Inherits a squad of players that was made up of what, 4 previous managers? All who have different styles of playing. Ten Hag overachieved. He made an immediate impact. Won a cup. Everyone is delighted.
Season 2) Ronaldo creates a stir. Perhaps he was right and brave to speak out against the club so he could have his contract terminated. Ten Hag had to deal with the media turmoil and the dressing room turmoil of footballs biggest start causing drama. That issue is resolved, Ronaldo leaves. A few weeks later, United are up for sale. For months nobody knew what was going on. Every week he had to deal with and be careful in how he handled the media. He did not lose his head. United do awful in the League. We get to the FA Cup final and that week things get leaked. Talks he is going to get sacked. Imagine being in his shoes that week trying to win a cup final and thinking he could be sacked after winning it. On top of all this, he had an injury nightmare.
What did he do? He kept calm. He did not lose his head. Now tell me, is that a characteristic you want in a United manager? He wasn't sacked. Why? INEOS came to the conclusion there was nobody out there to replace him with that was any better.
Season 3) INEOS's first season where they have control. They backed Ten Hag with assistants he wanted. They rid of players he didn't want. They back him with signings he agreed with and/or wanted. Players he is familiar with. They evaluated their very own assessment of the entire football club. INEOS are building for the future. Yoro - a player that is quality but we can make better. Like Rooney, like Ronaldo. The UNITED WAY. INEOS did great business, 5 new quality signings and a clear-out of deadwood.
And you want to know something - it is going to take at least one more transfer window to clear out the shite of the last 4 managers.
Has Ten Hag made mistakes? Absolutely. He needs to work on his substitutions. I am not saying he is perfect.
My whole point of all this is - look at the long term. Forget about this is his third season. This is the first season without Glazer influence. Ten Hag has a style and this season it will be properly implanted.
The Glazer's we ALL gave out about, they have far less control of the football aspect of the club now. So treat this as Ten Hag's first season working under the structure of a proper run football club. Get behind him, get behind the team. United will be back on top at some point and hopefully it is sooner than we think but don't expect it too soon.