Manchester United owner Sir Jimcliffe has voiced his dissatisfaction with Erik Ten Hag for letting go of a remarkable goal-scorer who departed Man united for free and has since surpassed even Hujlund in goal-scoring prowess, tallying 15 goals and assists in just seven games.
Manchester United’s owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has reportedly voiced his frustration with Erik ten Hag over the decision to allow a prolific goal-scorer to leave the club on a free transfer. Since his departure, this player has gone on to outperform United’s new signing, Rasmus Hojlund, racking up an impressive 15 goals and assists in just seven appearances.
Ten Hag’s choices have come under increasing scrutiny as Manchester United continues to struggle with inconsistent performances. Despite Ten Hag’s confidence that securing two trophies compensates for the team’s lackluster league results, the overall performance suggests otherwise. While the team’s structure may appear more organized, the decision to retain Ten Hag for another season after their FA Cup win has not yielded the expected improvements.
During the summer transfer window, United made some notable additions, including Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. However, Yoro’s injury, which is expected to sideline him for several months, raises concerns about his impact this season under Ten Hag. Meanwhile, United’s early results have been disappointing, with only three points from their first three games. In contrast, Manchester City has started strong, drawing comparisons to sprinter Noah Lyles, and is already on track for another Premier League title.
City’s dominance is largely attributed to Pep Guardiola’s tactical genius, but the presence of a striker like Erling Haaland also plays a crucial role. Haaland has been in phenomenal form, scoring two hat-tricks in the first three weeks of the season, bringing his total to seven goals. Since joining City, Haaland has netted 97 goals in 102 appearances across all competitions, earning two Golden Boots, and is widely regarded as the best striker in the world, with his goal-scoring abilities unmatched.
In an attempt to emulate City’s success, Manchester United brought in Rasmus Hojlund, another Scandinavian striker. However, Hojlund’s 16 goals in the 2023/24 season, while commendable, fall short of Haaland’s remarkable numbers. Stopping Haaland seems nearly impossible, and unless an injury—like the one that briefly sidelined him last season—slows him down, United is unlikely to be the team that can challenge his dominance this season. Even Arsenal, City’s closest competitors, may struggle to keep pace with Guardiola’s squad.
Manchester United could certainly benefit from a player of the caliber of Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo to counter Haaland’s impact. Reflecting on the past, Ten Hag’s growing frustration with Ronaldo in November 2022 was a significant factor in the star’s departure. Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford was overshadowed by off-field issues, and his exit was deemed necessary to restore team harmony.
In hindsight, however, United might now be questioning whether letting Ronaldo go was the right decision, especially as they continue to search for a player who can match Haaland’s level. The gap between Manchester City and Manchester United seems wider than ever, with City flourishing under Guardiola while United struggles to find stability under Ten Hag.
