According to Sun journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox has informed Erik Ten Hag that he must play the “new” United style of possession-based football, with Graham Potter the front-runner to succeed the Dutchman if he is fired.

Under their Dutch coach, the Red Devils have endured yet another lacklustre season, and it seems practically inevitable that they will not play in the Champions League this coming season.

In addition to their erratic performance, overall performance has also been patchy at times, showing no discernible pattern.

Wilcox Erik Ten Hag tells Man United’s boss to make changes immediately during the FA Cup semifinal.
Nixon claims that Wilcox has given the United manager a strong message requiring him to modify his play style in order to accommodate a “new” strategy, beginning tonight against Sheffield United.

Nearing his second anniversary as United’s manager, the Dutch coach has not been able to establish a clear or consistent strategy for improving his team’s results.

After spending more than £400 million on new hires since joining from Ajax in May 2022, the manager’s time to produce results regularly is running out.

Although the Red Devils finished in a respectable third place during his first season, his second stint as head coach has been anything but successful, with the team now sitting in seventh place.

With Manchester United, Erik ten Hag

Time of year

Win percentage in relation to Ten Hag

2022–2023

61 percent

2023–2024*

47%*

This season, United’s reserved and hesitant demeanour have been seen on several occasions, most notably during their FA Cup semi-final matchup with Coventry City.

Even though they were ahead 3-0 against the Championship team in the middle of the table, United faltered and let the Sky Blues tie the game at 3-3 before finally defeating the team from a lower tier on penalties.

Man United Desires to Play Football in Possession
Fulham’s left-back Right-back Antonee Robinson of Manchester United Aaron Wan and Bissaka squabbling for control
Ten Hag received a message from Wilcox stating that the Red Devils should play more aggressively and concentrate on controlling games rather than following their opponent’s strategy.

This season, United has the tenth-highest possession average in the Premier League. According to Nixon, the team has to make major progress in this area or the manager might not be at the club for the foreseeable future.

Nixon stated:

“The Dutch coach met with Wilcox to discuss the kind of game United wants to play going forward.

Wilcox made it clear that he anticipates a possession-based style of play going forward, beginning with Sheffield United.

“Ten Hag’s future appears limited if he is unable to maintain that level of style in the upcoming weeks.”

Graham Potter Adopts New Man United Strategy During his Chelsea tenure, Graham Potter supervising a workout
Ten Hag’s refusal to comply with Wilcox’s request means that United will probably look elsewhere for a new captain heading into the upcoming campaign.

A number of current top-flight and international managers might benefit from the Red Devils’ innovative approach, but one man who isn’t in the position right now is Graham Potter.

During his three years at Brighton, Potter developed a high-possession and entertaining system that led to a September 2022 transfer to Chelsea.

Despite the fact that his time at Stamford Bridge wasn’t successful, United may think about bringing the 48-year-old to Old Trafford this summer.

Potter is well regarded by a number of United stakeholders, according to Nixon.

According to the updated United Way, Graham Potter is the front-runner for the position. Potter attempted to play a passing style at Chelsea after doing so at Brighton. Top advisor Sir Dave Brailsford says well of him, and he’s available.”