It might be Erik ten Hag. Manchester United wants it to be Erik ten Hag. Or at least some elements at Manchester United want it to be Erik ten Hag. But do the players want it to be Erik ten Hag? Does Erik ten Hag want it to be Erik ten Hag? Does it even matter if it’s Erik ten Hag?
The Ajax manager emerged last week as United’s favored candidate to replace Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season. Rangnick seems to have had very little input, his role as a consultant sidelined because … well, where do you start? Probably with a weary sigh.
It’s tempting to say this goes back to the very origins of the club, or at least to the appointment in 1903 of Ernest Mangnall as manager. He had a raffish mustache, habitually sported a boater hat and, by a combination of charisma, intelligence and sharp practice, he won United its first two league titles. And so, deep in the identity of the club was established the idea that success came from the appointment of messianic showmen.
