Andy Cole: Sir Jim Ratcliffe already knows who he wants to be Manchester United manager next season.

With speculation continuing to swirl regarding Erik ten Hag’s future, former Manchester United striker Andy Cole believes that the club’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will already know who he wants to be the manager at Old Trafford next season. Speaking to Betfred, Cole also discussed Manchester United’s performance in Sunday's Manchester derby, rumours regarding the sale of Antony and who he believes is the current favourite to win the 2024 PFA Player of the Year award. 

How would you summarise Manchester United’s performance in Sunday’s Manchester derby?

“It was what it was. They showed fight and endeavour, but you’ve got to be very honest and say that the better team won and they won comfortably in the end. I don’t know what people were expecting. I don’t know if they were expecting Manchester United to go there and get a shock win. If they had got a draw there, then it would have been an incredible result. However, Manchester United showed fight and spirit, so in the end, what more can you ask for in a derby?

“If you look at Manchester United this season, they’ve played a lot of counter attacking football and we’re not used to them playing that way over the years because we expect to see a Manchester United team get on the ball and dominate games. I think that just shows you how big the gap is now. I’m not quite sure that the gap’s closing because if it was, then they would have gone to the Etihad and tried to play Manchester City at their own game.”

What do you believe Erik ten Hag needs to do between now and the end of May to ensure that he’s still Manchester United manager at the start of next season? 

“I honestly don’t know. When Sir Jim Ratcliffe paid £1.3 billion for his 27.7% stake, he would have known what he planned to do at the club. Gary Neville claimed the other day that Ratcliffe would have no doubts about who he wants to be the manager of Manchester United. He’s got his thoughts and decisions in mind and if his plans are to keep Ten Hag, then that’s that but if he doesn’t, then he won’t.  Whatever he decides to do is completely down to him.

“A manager, like a midfielder or a striker, will only be judged on their performances. If Manchester United had started this season on absolute fire, were in the top three, playing expansive football and winning games, then the manager wouldn’t be spoken about because he’s doing his job. However, Manchester United’s form has been very indifferent and they’re struggling to get into a Champions League spot and are not playing a particularly good brand of football. When that happens, you’re going to ask questions about the manager. That’s football. Whoever makes these decisions will make them on the basis of getting Manchester United to the place that they should be at.” 

Do you believe after this weekend’s results that Manchester United’s chances of finishing in the top four are over?

“It’s very, very tough. Manchester United would have to win their last 11 league games in my opinion to have a chance of finishing in the top four. They will also have to hope that Aston Villa and Tottenham lose a couple of games too for that to happen. Can we honestly see either of them losing four games between now and the end of the season? It’s unlikely. 

“Manchester United just have to try and finish as high up in the table as they can. I know there’s a chance of fifth place qualifying for the Champions League this season, but when we were playing and we saw Arsenal celebrate qualifying for the Champions League, and I say this with no disrespect intended, we used to laugh at them. If you’re not winning the Premier League, then why are you celebrating? Come on, this is Manchester United.”

How impressed have you been with André Onana’s recent form? 

“Against Manchester City, he was doing what all goalkeepers should do. He produced saves when he had to and his distribution is an absolute joke. When you look at his recent performances, they've been really positive. On Sunday, he didn’t have a chance with any of the goals he conceded and his performance was really, really good and he kept it down to three. He’s doing his job and that’s really positive for himself and Manchester United.”

Do you believe Manchester United have to do all they can to extend Raphaël Varane’s contract so he remains at the club next season?

“It will be very interesting to see what happens this summer in regards to centre-backs. Varane has won everything in the game and he’s been a top level centre-half for many years, but the only problem with him is his injury record. However, when he’s on form he makes the game look easy, so his only issue is keeping himself fit. 

“Ultimately, Manchester United are going to make decisions on where they can save money and where they can try and bring players in when you consider FFP, which is a big thing now. Manchester United have spent hundreds of millions on centre-backs over the last few years which is absolutely crazy when you consider that during that time they’ve only spent £60 million on a centre-forward. It’s absolutely mad.

“We need to wait and see what the club does with Raphaël Varane, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf this summer.”

Do you believe Victor Lindelöf can be blamed for his Manchester derby performance considering that he’s been played out of position at left-back?

“In football, there’s always someone to blame. His best position is centre-back, but he was asked to play at left-back against a very talented footballer in Phil Foden. Are you going to blame Victor Lindelöf for Foden putting one in the top bin on Sunday? We always try to find a scapegoat because if we don’t, then there’s nothing to write about is there?”

Do you believe Sofyan Amrabat is currently failing his audition to be signed by Manchester United permanently?

“He’s found it very tough. The manager brought him in because he thought he’d bring stability to the midfield and do a good job, but the crazy thing is that Kobbie Mainoo has been the best player in Manchester United’s midfield this season. Amrabat hasn’t been playing because Mainoo’s done so well. 

“He played against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at left-back and is another player being played out of position at the moment by Manchester United. His so-called error against Manchester City was down to a collective of errors and I wouldn’t necessarily say that he was the main culprit. It was all down to over playing and they should have just cleared the ball up the pitch whilst they had the chance, but they got caught out.”

Do you believe Manchester United can bounce back from their derby defeat by beating Everton on Saturday?

“I’m positive that they can get a result. Everton are fighting for their lives at the moment and they had a bad result at the weekend against West Ham, conceding two goals late on in the game and condemning them to another defeat. 

“If Manchester United need to finish the season on a high, then this is one of the games that they need to win. It’s that simple. It’s a home game, so they need to win the game. They’ll be disappointed that they lost the derby, but now it’s back to the drawing board and they need to get their head down. They need to show desire, passion and fight to ensure that they win as many games as possible.” 

Do you believe Manchester United can realistically see off Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final tie on March 17th? Do you believe they can apply the same approach to this game as they did in the Manchester derby?

“I’m so old school, it’s unbelievable, and I’m really going to show my age here, but back when I played for Manchester United we would always play the same, home or away. We would never change. When you’re the home team, you shouldn’t change for anybody. You’re the home team, so that’s your advantage. 

“I genuinely hope that Manchester United go out there, in a one-off cup game against a great team, and go for it. If you don’t go for it in a one-off cup game, then when will you ever go for it? Go for the jugular and try to win the game as the home team.”

Marcus Rashford in an interview with The Players Tribune last week hit back at those questioning his commitment to Manchester United. He claimed that his commitment “can’t be questioned”, but do you believe his performances and effort are a reflection of such a statement?

“Football’s a very opinionated game. Whatever’s going on in Marcus’ life is evidently affecting his football. When Marcus seems to be happy off the pitch, his football is unbelievable and we saw that last season. To go from 30 goals last season to six this season is a big drop off.

“People always question his effort, desire and passion and Manchester United’s fans will always expect more from him because he’s a kid from Manchester. They expect him to give everything he’s got for the shirt and if they don’t believe you are giving everything, then they will let you know about it. That’s what they’ve done this season because they’ve not been happy with his performances and they’re questioning his desire, his workrate and I understand it. 

“When you play for Manchester United, running around is a given. That’s what it is. The fans want to see you give everything you have and in general, I believe they want to see more from him, especially when you consider that he’s a local boy. His goal against Manchester City was incredible and Marcus is capable of things like that.”

It’s reported that Manchester United are considering selling Antony this summer. From a business perspective, do you believe this summer’s too early for Manchester United to sell him and take a major loss on what they paid for him in 2022 considering that he’s still only 24 years of age?

“Ultimately, I believe any decision regarding his future will be down to finances. Antony’s found his first two seasons in the Premier League very, very difficult. Everything in the game now is judged on stats and if you look at his, they’re very underwhelming. Wingers are judged on scoring and creating goals, so if you’re not doing that, then what are you actually doing? He has one goal and one assist this season, so if you’re looking at that as a prospective buyer, then you’re going to question how effective he can be for your team. 

“I know the Eredivisie is completely different to the Premier League, but when he was at Ajax he was scoring and creating goals. In the Premier League, it’s not been like that for him, so will he get a third season? I really don’t know because the numbers haven’t been good enough for where Manchester United need to get to. 

“Manchester City are the best team in the country and they have the likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Jérémy Doku. Look at the amount of chances they create and score. They all produce more than Anthony does. It’s a big, big difference, so it will be interesting to see what Manchester United do this summer regarding Antony.”

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly being considered by Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, but do you believe his stock is falling considering how inconsistent his team have been in the Premier League this season?

“Managers get judged on results. It’s that simple. Last season was fantastic for Brighton, playing really attractive football, getting themselves into Europe and Graham Potter was a thing of the past. This season’s been totally different and it’s been a lot tougher for them. Their form in the Premier League has been very inconsistent and I’ve seen that Pep Guardiola has said that Barcelona should be looking at him as well, but everybody’s going to be looking at you when you’re winning football matches and when you’re not winning often, then people are going to ask questions. 

“Your stock does go down a little bit when you’re not winning football matches, but that’s football. If Brighton go on a good run between now and the end of the season, then his stock will rise again. Playing on Thursday and Sunday is very difficult and it may have taken a bit of a toll on Brighton this season.”

Who do you believe has been the best player in the Premier League this season?

“The player that’s caught my eye the most has been Phil Foden and he’s stood out in a very good team. He was in and out of Manchester City’s team, but he’s got his head down and he’s always looking to get on the ball and make things happen. His form has been absolutely frightening. 

“When it comes to the Euros, if England can’t find a place for him in their team, then I think they should all just pack up and head home. If Gareth Southgate builds the team around him and Jude Bellingham, then you’ve got half a chance. If France had a player like Foden, they would find a place for him. There’s no debate about it. I’ve never understood why England don’t find a place for a player like him and when they do play him, they play him out of position. I don’t understand it, but I believe he’s been exceptional this season.”