Erik ten Hag challenges Manchester United owners, but time is of the essence

Certain franchises in professional sports don't have the luxury of a full rebuild. The history of winning is too great, and the fan base's expectations are too high. Unfortunately for Erik ten Hag, he's managing one of those select clubs, Manchester United, and he may be in an impossible position.

Ten Hag, entering his third season at the helm of MUFC, challenged club ownership to "prove" they back him by sticking with him this season even if things get rough.

"I feel that we are building something and that the people around me, we are in the same boat," ten Hag said Thursday in Los Angeles on the club's preseason tour.

"But of course, it's always a proven point when the case is this. What I hope is that we avoid this [a dip in form]."

United has a promising young core of players in Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, but he stressed that young players will face challenges. Mistakes will happen. Form could drop. Translation: United might not be ready for a return to the Premier League's top four this year.

While injuries mounted last season and big-name players like Marcus Rashford (eight goals in all competitions) failed to perform, United lost nine more matches than the 22-23 season. However, an FA Cup win and the emergence of the aforementioned young stars ended the season on a high note. That didn't stop new club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford from flirting with Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and more to replace ten Hag over the summer.

As the 2024-25 campaign begins, the question is, "Will ten Hag be allowed the time he's asked to turn United back into a winner?" The club won 13 of the first 21 Premier League titles but hasn't been at the top since 2012-13. In the 11 years since, MUFC has finished outside the top four six times, including last year's eight-place finish — the lowest of all time. That never happened during the first 21 years of the Premier League.

By all accounts, ten Hag is right. He deserves time to see this young club mature. He has promising young players and rebuilds don't happen overnight. But the Big 6 clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham) don't typically have time to wait. There's too much money to be made at the top of the table and playing Champions League football.

Arsenal quickly moved on from Unai Emery after 18 months in 2019, Chelsea is a revolving door on the touchline and Tottenham has become the same since Pochettino's exit in 2019. Big clubs simply do not wait. United doesn't have a history of waiting, either. No manager since Sir Alex Ferguson departed in 2013 has lasted three years. Ten Hag would have to see this season through to make it to that point.

Although the results over the years may have shifted, Manchester United's expectations remain the same. Ten Hag must meet them, youthful squad or not.