5 winners at Manchester United following Erik ten Hag's sacking - Ranked
Erik ten Hag has managed his final game for Manchester United following a poor start to the season. The dismissal comes after the shot callers at Old Trafford opted, maybe misguidedly, to offer the Dutch manager an extension in the summer following his FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
The former Ajax manager's reign at the Theatre of Dreams was a mixed experience. Despite bagging two trophies his return in the Premier League was a matter of consistently diminishing returns. His handling of the players at the club was a similar proposition. The Dutchman helped bring Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to prominence, however, a few players will be glad to see Erik ten Hag depart. Here is a list of five such players in the Manchester United squad:
#5 Harry Amass
Harry Amass had failed to feature for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag despite being highly rated and the club's injury crisis in his position. The 17-year-old has come through the Carrington youth ranks and is now set to feature in the senior team following an impressive cameo in preseason.
However, the injuries to Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw were not enough to see him get a run of games under the former manager. Following Ten Hag's dismissal, the young full-back has a chance to break into the senior team.
#4 Victor Lindelof
The 30-year-old defender played only 4,591 minutes across 67 games for Erik ten Hag in just over two years together at Manchester United. The Swedish defender joined the club in 2017 and made 195 appearances before the Dutchman's arrival at the club.
He has already played 90 minutes of football under interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and will fancy his chances of making more appearances and potentially extending his deal with the club.
#3 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford started life under Erik ten Hag like a house on fire. He bagged an awe-inspiring 30 goals and 11 assists from 4,304 minutes across 56 appearances for Manchester United in the 2022/23 season.
The Englishman's return dried up after that, with the pair failing to rekindle the tactical chemistry that made the forward one of the best players on the planet. Rashford will hope he can have a renaissance under the new management that will be established following the Dutchman's departure and return to his best form in the seasons to come.
#2 Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte recently joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth a reported €50 million. Despite his expensive fee, he found minutes hard to come by under Erik ten Hag.
The Uruguayan will be keen to feature more regularly than he did under the ousted Dutchman and build on his 438 minutes across eight games for the side.
#1 Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo will be one of the most relieved players at Manchester United following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag. The Ivory Coast international has always looked impressive when he takes to the pitch. However, for some inexplicable reason, he often missed out on featuring for the team under the Dutchman.
1,058 minutes across 24 games feels like a huge disservice for the talented 22-year-old and he will be keen to show his worth under new management in the games to come.