Five winners and losers with Erik ten Hag set to sign new Man Utd contract

Manchester United have finally decided to press forward with Erik ten Hag at the helm for the foreseeable future. Their commitment to the Dutchman will likely divide opinion not just among the fanbase, but also in the dressing room, with Ten Hag favoured by some members of the squad much more than others. Here, Express Sport has taken a look at who stands to benefit and who is likely to have been dealt a setback by the decision to keep Ten Hag at United.

Winners

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo’s breakthrough into the United and England teams has been overseen by Ten Hag, an early believer in his ability, who was not afraid to throw the teenager into the deep end to prove to the world that Mainoo could swim.

The sky is the limit for Mainoo and knowing that he has Ten Hag in his corner, that support will be pivotal as the Dutch head coach looks to build his midfield around the 19-year-old.

Any midfield addition will likely be made with Mainoo in mind, who has the perfect conditions to continue shining brightly at Old Trafford.

Lisandro Martinez

Several managers would shudder at the thought of a centre-back shorter than six feet. But Ten Hag was unafraid of the sceptics and brought Lisandro Martinez with him from Ajax to United, immediately instilling him in the heart of defence.

United have been rumoured with an interest in Everton’s Jarrad Braithwaite, who similarly operates as the left-sided centre-back, but Ten Hag is likely to press ahead with the Argentine. He may well see Branthwaite as a defender who can co-exist with Martinez, while another coach could have opted to replace one of Ten Hag’s favourites.

Antony

Few would have shown the faith that Ten Hag has given Antony after two underwhelming seasons at Old Trafford, but the Dutchman knows first-hand the quality that the winger provides from their time together in the Netherlands.

Competing with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, another head coach may have thought that an opportunity to raise some transfer funds could come with selling Antony this summer, but Ten Hag could hand the Brazilian he paid £85million for another chance in England.

Losers

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho’s United career is all but over following the news that Ten Hag will remain in charge at Old Trafford. Coach Benni McCarthy has confirmed that the Champions League runner-up won’t apologise after publicly calling out Ten Hag on social media, with their relationship unlikely to be repaired.

Interest will exist for Sancho after a successful few months back in Germany, on loan at Borussia Dortmund, but his days at United are surely numbered.

Marcus Rashford

In February, The Sun claimed that Rashford and Ten Hag were barely on speaking terms after the forward was caught partying until the early hours of the morning in Belfast.

The matter was said to have been rectified but concerns persist after a disappointing season that saw Rashford left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Amid reports that a new right-winger such as Michael Olise is being targeted, Rashford may be worried that Ten Hag could prefer Garnacho on the left rather than himself, with a new addition to the wide areas potentially posing a big problem moving forward.