Manchester United told to replace Erik ten Hag with ex-player by former Premier League boss

Manchester United have been told they should replace Erik ten Hag with current Coventry manager Mark Robins as INEOS assess their options.

The status of Erik ten Hag‘s tenure as Manchester United‘s manager hangs in uncertainty. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are deliberating whether to retain the Dutch manager for another season amidst their comprehensive restructuring of the club’s personnel.

Following lacklustre performances and results across the Champions League, Premier League, and Carabao Cup this season, the FA Cup is the club’s sole opportunity to achieve glory in the 2023/24 campaign. Consequently, a significant portion of the fanbase has voiced demands for the manager’s dismissal.

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While Erik ten Hag has been linked with Ajax, many managers have been linked with the job at Old Trafford, such as Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate – although the strongest links of late have been with Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel.

An unorthodox suggestion

Former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has weighed in on who he feels should be handed the job at Old Trafford should INEOS get rid of Ten Hag—and his suggestion is rather unorthodox.

“I have got a gaffer for you,” Pardew said to talkSPORT on Sunday evening.

“Are you ready? He is not an international; he has not won the Dutch league, he has not won the French league, he is an old player of yours, he has done brilliantly for four seasons, he almost beat you in the semi-final – Mark Robins.

“There you go. Get him in. He will do you a job, I tell you.”

A familiar face

Robins is very much a familiar face to Manchester United fans, both young and old. Just last week, he was the manager who almost masterminded a shock FA Cup semi-final win for Coventry City after the Championship club clawed back at Wembley Stadium from a 3-0 deficit to take United to penalties.

However, for older fans, Robins will be recognised as the player who saved Sir Alex Ferguson in 1990 following an FA Cup goal against Nottingham Forest.

After a run of 11 league matches without a win, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side was faced with the task of taking on Forest in the FA Cup. 

It has been widely reported that the Scottish manager’s job was on the line ahead of that game, with another defeat potentially spelling the end of his time as Old Trafford boss. 

But Robins went on to save him, scoring the winning goal in the 56th minute and keeping United in the competition. That strike not only kept Sir Alex in a job but also led to an FA Cup title, as the club went on to win the trophy, beating Crystal Palace in a final replay.