Erik ten Hag provided himself with some breathing space following Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.
Despite that win, and the chance to still win a trophy this season, Tim Sherwood feels the Dutchman won’t be at the club next season.
That’s why he was sure to urge the club to appoint Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as the next Manchester United manager.
The former Aston Villa and Tottenham boss thinks Roberto De Zerbi is a ‘nuisance’ and someone who ‘people would be scared of’, as he told talkSPORT (29/02/24 at 9:55 am).
Given that Brighton work on a lower budget than those around them, plus they lose many key players, as they did with Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in the summer, then it makes the job he is doing even more remarkable.
What’s interesting is that the Seagulls could yet finish above Manchester United this season because the seventh-placed side are only five points behind.
If that happens, then the Italian’s stature in the Premier League will grow, especially with sources telling HITC Sport that Liverpool have him on their list to replace Jurgen Klopp next season.
With Roberto De Zerbi set to be in high demand, Tim Sherwood has urged those from Old Trafford to appoint the 44-year-old as their new manager.
Roberto De Zerbi to Manchester United?
“De Zerbi is one of my favourite managers,” said Sherwood. “He looks like he can be an absolute nuisance.
“That’s the biggest compliment I can give him because De Zerbi looks like he could drive me potty. He would want this and he would want that. That’s why people would be scared of him. But I think he is top draw.
“The style of play and the structure. Brighton are brilliant. It won’t mind them, they will just get the next one in, like they do with their players.
“I think the state with Man United, at the moment, I don’t see ten Hag staying, I really don’t. I think De Zerbi would be an absolute dream manager for them.”
Big few months for Erik ten Hag
The pressure has been eased, for now, but it will be ramped up ahead of the Manchester derby at the weekend.
Defeat would further damage the team’s hopes of playing Champions League football, whilst a heavy loss, and it’s happened before with ten Hag, would provide further doubt over the manager’s long-term future.
Given that there are changes upstairs, many are putting two and two together and wondering if this could be the end of the road for the former Ajax boss.
But all he can do is answer on the pitch, and at the City Ground, he did just that to continue the club’s chances of winning a trophy this season.
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