Sir Jim Ratcliffe could replace Ten Hag with 4-2-2-2 manager who’d be ‘even better than’ Arteta
The second season for Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager has been extremely disappointing, especially considering his successful first term, during which he led the team to a Carabao Cup victory and a third-place finish in the Premier League.
However, this season has been significantly disappointing for Manchester United.
They currently occupy sixth place in the Premier League with 54 points and have been mathematically ruled out of European football contention.
Additionally, their Champions League campaign ended abruptly in the group stage, with the team conceding 15 goals, the highest among all Premier League teams in the group stage.
With such dismal performance, there is speculation that manager Ten Hag could be sacked by United’s new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It’s possible that Ratcliffe may opt for a fresh face to lead the club into the new era under INEOS ownership.
Naturally, this has sparked speculation about who might take over if Ten Hag is indeed sacked at the end of the season.
Several names have been mentioned, including England manager Gareth Southgate and Bayer manager Thomas Tuchel, who is set to leave the club in the summer.
However, another name that has recently emerged is that of a current Premier League manager who could potentially replace Ten Hag.
Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has enjoyed a successful first full season at Villa Park. The team currently sits in fourth place, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, and has a Europa Conference League semi-final to anticipate.
Emery, 52, was appointed by Villa in October 2022, replacing Steven Gerrard, who had a tumultuous spell at the club. Last season, Emery steered the club from the threat of relegation to qualification for the Conference League in just a few months.
In April, Villa activated a one-year contract extension clause in Emery’s contract, ensuring that the Spaniard will remain at the club until 2027. Despite interest from Bayern Munich, who are reportedly considering him for their next manager, Emery is committed to Aston Villa.
However, Manchester United may still need to consider approaching Emery to take over at Old Trafford.
Former United and Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke believes that it would be a wise appointment.
In an interview this week, Yorke suggested that the Spaniard might “do even better than Erik ten Hag, Mikel Arteta, or Jurgen Klopp” if he were to land the United job.
Yorke further commented, “It wouldn’t surprise me to see Emery’s name linked with big clubs in the summer. He has a point to prove at top clubs because of how his time ended at Arsenal.”
Yorke’s statement strongly implied that Emery’s tenure at Arsenal was disappointing.
However, since his departure, Arteta has led the team to new heights with his exciting and high-pressing 4-3-3 system, putting them in contention for the title.
On the other hand, Emery is well-known for his 4-2-2-2 system, which he has implemented at Villa, helping them to the verge of Champions League qualification.
This would be a remarkable achievement, especially considering the position the Midlands side were in when Emery arrived.
Although he may not have had much success in north London, he has since established himself as one of the top managers in the Premier League.
With an impressive collection of titles, including a Ligue 1 title and four Europa League trophies, he certainly outshines Arteta in terms of silverware. There’s a possibility that he could lead Manchester United further than Arsenal in the coming years.
Qualifying for the Champions League would be a remarkable achievement for Emery at Aston Villa, especially considering they were battling relegation last season.
It seems like he needs to take this next step to solidify his legacy as a legendary manager. If Manchester United decides to part ways with Ten Hag this summer, Old Trafford could be the perfect destination for Emery.
After all, he has already shown that he can stabilize a team in decline, making it an ideal project for him.
Having successfully implemented the 4-2-2-2 system at Villa Park, he might consider introducing the same system at Old Trafford. United already have players who would adapt well to Emery’s Villa system, although they would definitely need to reinforce certain areas of the team.
Kobbie Mainoo, for instance, would thrive under Emery. The 19-year-old midfielder possesses exceptional abilities in the initial phase, making him vital in the build-up pattern employed by the Spaniard. This pattern involves triangular passing between the centre-back, full-back, and midfielder on each side.
Moreover, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount would flourish in the central role.
In this position, the players essentially start as wingers but then tuck inside as two number 10s in possession, aiding in the progression of the ball through the middle of the pitch.
Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford could effectively serve as the two center-forwards in Emery’s system, with the task of drifting wide to receive the ball and penetrate into the penalty box.
Rashford, in particular, excels at this, as he performs at his best when receiving the ball wide and driving into the penalty area.
One area where Manchester United would need to strengthen is at center-back.
They would have to focus on acquiring quick and agile players to fit into Emery’s high-line system at Villa. Villa statistically catch the most players offside per game in the Premier League, with an average of 4.7 offsides per game.
However, this strategy also carries the risk of opponents exploiting large spaces behind the defensive line if they manage to beat the offside trap. Players like Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof may struggle to deal with this, so Manchester United should consider recruiting a center-back.
Emery’s tactical system is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining to watch in the Premier League this season.
However, Manchester United’s lack of quality center-backs and the need for depth in midfield means they might not be immediately ready for his style should he take over at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, his appointment could prove to be a clever move for the Red Devils.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe could replace Ten Hag with 4-2-2-2 manager who’d be ‘even better than’ Arteta
