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The Champions League qualification race is almost lost, the tournament itself was said goodbye to last year and the Carabao Cup soon followed.
FA Cup remains but Manchester United will have to beat Chelsea or Manchester City to win it, provided they don’t slip up against Coventry.
No wonder, then, that Erik ten Hag’s job security has become such a hot topic of debate in footballing circles.
The Peoples Person recently relayed a report that a multitude of factors, however, are playing a part in keeping the Dutchman in the job.
Another one can be added to the list if recent reports are to be believed.
GIVEMESPORT reports that Ten Hag’s willingness to integrate youth academy players into the first team, and doing so successfully, is a strong point working in his favour.
Alejandro Garnacho was last season’s success story who has gone a step further this season while Kobbie Mainoo has joined him in that conversation.
Recently, Willy Kambwala has stepped in as a genuine option for United’s defence, a scenario not many predicted at the start of the season.
Granted, Kambwala’s debut has come more out of necessity and need than some elaborate plan, but generally, youth players have been handled well by the manager.
It is one of the things he was lauded for at Ajax as well, where a golden generation of players emerged under his watch.
Something similar could happen at United too, and the photo of Garnacho and Mainoo with Hojlund sitting on the advertising banner has already gained viral status.
Injuries have undoubtedly played a part in forcing Ten Hag’s hand when it comes to handing debuts but how their growth has been handled after that debut is as important, arguably more, than the debut itself.
It is an area Ten Hag has excelled and setting the foundations for a better United in the future might ultimately help him keep the job in the present.
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[…] source https://www.soccer2day.co.za/2024/04/12/erik-ten-hags-willingness-to-integrate-youth-academy-players… […]