SPORTS: We ‘sacked’ Erik ten Hag as Man United boss to predict FA Cup final and Premier League finish

A potential summer exit from Manchester United is on the cards for Erik ten Hag, so we simulated the rest of the season on Football Manager 2024 without the Dutchman.CONTINUE READING HERE

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group potentially in the market for a new Manchester United manager next season, this could be the end of the road for Erik ten Hag.

After finishing third in the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup in his first season, an underwhelming second campaign has seen United struggle. United are guaranteed to miss out on the Champions League next season, with the FA Cup final now their only chance of silverware.

The results have been poor and the performances have been too. Only eight teams have scored fewer goals than United in the Premier League this season, while only four have faced more shots than Ten Hag’s side.

It’s been far from a good season for United, but what could happen in the final few games if the club sacked Ten Hag now? We simulated the run-in to find out…
Man United’s 2023/24 season without Erik ten Hag simulated

To set up this simulation, we used the Football Manager 2024 editor to sack Ten Hag from United, with academy coach Travis Binnion taking over until the end of the season. We then updated the game with the latest results, fixtures, and standings before simulating until the end of the season.

Premier League: Crystal Palace 2-1 Man United

There was no new manager bounce for United in their first game following Ten Hag’s departure, with Binnion’s side falling to a 2-1 loss away to Crystal Palace. Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring after 20 minutes, but two strikes from Jean-Philippe Mateta before half-time secured the three points for the Eagles.

Premier League: Man United 1-3 Arsenal

United failed to stop Arsenal in their bid for the Premier League title, with the hosts losing 3-1 to the Gunners in a miserable start to life without Ten Hag. Hojlund scored first once again, but second-half strikes from Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Ben White handed Arsenal the victory.

Premier League: Man United 2-0 Newcastle United

United beat Newcastle United 2-0 to pick up their first win without Ten Hag, which ensured they would be playing some sort of European football next season. After a dull first half at Old Trafford, second-half strikes from Antony and Christian Eriksen handed Binnion his first three points as United manager.

Premier League: Brighton 1-1 Man United

In the final Premier League game of the season, United drew 1-1 away to Brighton and Hove Albion, securing a sixth-place finish. Joao Pedro sent the hosts into an early lead, but Eriksen netted for a second consecutive game to end the Premier League season with a draw.

FA Cup Final: Man City 4-0 Man United

The FA Cup final was the final chance for United to win some silverware in the 2023/24 season, but a poor performance saw them get battered 4-0 at Wembley. Phil Foden scored a brace along with goals from Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker as Pep Guardiola’s side beat United in the FA Cup final for the second year running.

One win, one draw, and two defeats in the final four Premier League games of the season meant that United finished sixth in the Premier League table and secured Europa League football for the following season. United ended the campaign with 58 points, one more than Chelsea in seventh and three more than Newcastle in eighth.
Manchester United finished sixth in the Premier League View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
Manchester United finished sixth in the Premier League

Tottenham lost three of their last five games in the simulation, but United couldn’t capitalise on their poor form as they finished six points off fifth place. Overall, FM24 predicts that removing Ten Hag from the equation wouldn’t impact the Premier League season for United, but missing his experience in the FA Cup final could prove costly.CONTINUE READING HERE

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