Erik ten Hag made multiple bad decisions that led to his sacking at Manchester United in October 2024.
Despite being given a contract extension after winning the FA Cup, Erik ten Hag couldn’t survive another season at Manchester United.
Ten Hag’s successor, Ruben Amorim, has endured an extremely difficult start to life at Old Trafford. The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League and suffered defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur last season.
Amorim is currently trying to implement his preferred style of play, while also having to address issues that have existed in the team for years.
One of the first areas addressed by Amorim was the need for a left wing-back, after injuries proved problematic for Ten Hag in that area.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia couldn’t stay fit as United attempted to paper over the cracks with a lousy loan signing.
Sergio Romero still without a football club
One of Ten Hag’s worst mistakes at United was the loan signing of Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham.
The Spanish full-back had been linked with a move to Old Trafford before leaving Spain, during Jose Mourinho’s reign at the club, but he opted for Spurs.
Reguilon eventually got his chance to play for United when desperate times called for desperate measures at Old Trafford. Ten Hag decided to overlook Alvaro Fernandez to sign a more experienced Reguilon on loan.
He made just 12 appearances for United during his loan spell, while Fernandez left to experience first-team football at Granada and Benfica. Fast forward to now, and the Portuguese full-back is starting for Real Madrid.
Unsurprisingly, it’s a completely different story for Reguilon, who was released as a free agent by Tottenham this summer.
The 28-year-old is still without a club, which will only raise more eyebrows over Ten Hag’s costly decision-making at United.
How Amorim addressed left-back issue at Man Utd
Amorim added to his squad in the January transfer window, with a new left-back at the top of the agenda.
Patrick Dorgu joined from Lecce, and a pre-agreement was reached with Cerro Porteno for Diego Leon to arrive in the summer.
That means there is a lot of responsibility on Dorgu, 20, to play every week but Amorim has selected other players in the wing-back role.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have played on both flanks, and Leon has yet to make his competitive debut.
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