Erik ten Hag reportedly planned to be Manchester United manager until 2032, so here's a look at how the Dutch coach may have approached the future if he had remained at Old Trafford
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Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag had planned to be Manchester United manager for a decade
(Image: Ben Hoskins - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is claimed to have planned for a 10-year reign at Old Trafford.
The Dutch coach arrived from Ajax in 2022 and delivered two domestic trophies during his two-and-a-half-year spell at United, but the team’s dismal league form led to his dismissal in October. Ten Hag came under intense scrutiny during his spell in charge, but ex-United coach Benni McCarthy revealed that the manager remained committed to long-term planning.
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"I learned utmost professionalism because the manager I worked under was not just a disciplinarian, but he was the best and one of the most unbelievable professionals I've ever seen in the game,” new Kenya boss McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa. "Extremely hard-working, very dedicated, very passionate, he planned on being the Manchester United coach for the next 10 years. That was his vision."
Transfers revived
If Ten Hag had remained in charge for the foreseeable future, the manager would have had the opportunity to resurrect transfer deals that United missed out on early in his tenure. The most glaring of these, given United’s issues in front of goal, is Harry Kane.
United were interested in the England captain before he left boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich in 2023. Although Kane has insisted he is happy in Germany, his contract only runs until 2027.
There have been claims that Kane’s deal includes a clause allowing him to leave for a reduced fee next January. In reviving a move for Kane, Ten Hag would have a prolific striker to fire his team up the league table, while the 31-year-old forward could chase down Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record.
Of course, Kane will likely be retired by 2032, but his arrival would've taken the pressure off of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, while also offering them the perfect mentor to eventually take the mantle from.
Harry Kane
United missed out on signing Harry Kane in 2023
Centre midfield has been another problem area for United, and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong has continually slipped through the net, even before Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford. In 2022, the club's failed transfer saga led to the signing of Casemiro.
However, the situation could have finally been resolved this summer with De Jong entering the last year of his contract. De Jong’s pre-existing relationship with Ten Hag may have seen United get the best out of the 27-year-old and bring better balance to midfield.
In terms of players that could have remained part of Ten Hag's plans until 2032, United have held an interest in highly-rated Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who would still only be approaching his 30th birthday in this timeframe.
Likewise, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki rejected the opportunity to be Andre Onana's understudy, but United could have rekindled their interest in the 22-year-old following his impressive performances for Parma. However, the club would have to pay significantly more than the £5m fee they initially agreed with Urawa Red Diamonds in 2023.
Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund
Ten Hag relied on several young players during his tenure
Young stars shine
Ten Hag failed to build on a decent third-place finish from his debut season and was on course to finish lower than eighth this term. However, the Dutchman does deserve praise for bringing several top prospects into the first team, which could still form the nucleus of an exciting side in the future.
The manager gave Kobbie Mainoo his debut, and the midfielder quickly became integral to Ten Hag’s plans. Alejandro Garnacho had made fleeting appearances in a United shirt but truly established himself under the former Ajax boss. Both players would have been deemed unsellable under Ten Hag, but PSR pressures could possibly lead that to change during Ruben Amorim's reign.
Amad was on the cusp of making a similar impact before Ten Hag was sacked, while the manager also seemed to be making positive strides through his work with Hojlund last season. The images of these youngsters celebrating United’s triumph in the FA Cup struck a chord with supporters.
Meanwhile, the emergence of Toby Collyer, plus the signings of Sekou Kone, Chido Obi, and Ayden Heaven, would have allowed Ten Hag to introduce more fresh talent into the team, aligning with his 10-year vision for the club.
Old Trafford
Old Trafford will likely be a thing of the past by 2032
New stadium
Since Ten Hag’s departure, United have unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium at Old Trafford. Manchester Evening News previously reported that the estimated cost of the new stadium could be around £2billion.
Old Trafford’s issues were often compared to Ten Hag’s faltering team during the toughest periods of his reign. However, as part of his long-term plan, the 55-year-old would have loved leading the club into a new era, with transfer funds boosted through increased commercial revenue.
As reported by Forbes, Kroll managing director Mike Weaver has estimated that naming rights for the new stadium would be worth $33.4 million (£25.8m) per season, double what they currently would be for Old Trafford. “The value is about two times [more] for a new stadium than it is an old stadium,” he said. “It could be worth up to two times what we have in the report right now.”
Starting XI
Of course, it's impossible to predict where United may or may not have ended up with Ten Hag still in charge seven years on from now. But in a dream scenario, United's glory days would've been restored, placing him in a much stronger position when it came to transfers.
That, along with the allure of the new ground, would've made previously out-of-reach players attainable. There's no doubt Ten Hag would've continued his trend of bringing in former Ajax players, and Jurrien Timber would've been the versatile full-back he sorely lacked during his reign.
With that in mind, here's how United could've lined up in an alternate reality: GK: Zion Suzuki; RB: Jurrien Timber, CB: Ayden Heaven, CB: Jarrad Branthwaite, LB: Miguel Gutiérrez; CM: Manuel Ugarte, CM: Frenkie de Jong; RW: Amad Diallo, AM: Kobbie Mainoo, LW: Alejandro Garnacho; ST: Rasmus Hojlund