Erik ten Hag needs to oversee three improvements on the pitch if he wants to remain Manchester United manager beyond this season, according to Lee Sharpe. The Dutchman will undoubtedly have his doubters within INEOS after a dismal 2023/24 campaign salvaged by FA Cup glory in May.
United recorded their worst-ever Premier League season by finishing in eighth with 14 defeats, just 57 goals and a minus-one goal difference.
As well as landing outside of the European spots, Ten Hag's side suffered a group-stage exit in the Champions League after winning just one of their six games.
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While a shock triumph over Manchester City to lift a second domestic cup in as many years ended the campaign on the highest of notes, a repeat of what came before won't be acceptable.
That said, INEOS have reportedly made it clear that a failure to qualify for the Champions League won't determine Ten Hag's future if his side move forward on the pitch.
And Sharpe believes United must display progress in three departments to ensure Ten Hag's 12-month contract extension wasn't just a stay of execution.
"I think they obviously need to stop letting other teams create so many chances and scoring so many goals," the former United winger told Express Sport on behalf of Safest Casino Sites.
"The goal difference last year was a bit of a shambles. They need to be a little bit more clinical and composed in front of goal because they create a lot of chances but don't put the chances away.
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"And there's got to be more consistency in games. We've seen that they can show brilliance in certain parts of games and then really struggle in the same game that they've been dominant in.
"So I think consistency in games, score more goals and don't let as many in. It's pretty basic football knowledge.
"And as far as where the team finishes, the manager has shown he can win cups, so I want another good cup run.
"I think he's already come out and said top four is not imperative, but I think they obviously will be chasing that.
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"I just [want] more consistent and better performances throughout the season, and he keeps his job."
United are unsurprisingly viewed as outsiders for the Premier League top four this season and will have plenty to prove in Europe, qualifying for the Europa League through their FA Cup win.
Bayern Munich defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui will imminently join for a combined £60million after undergoing their medicals on Monday.
Both should be available for Friday's Premier League curtain-raiser against Fulham at Old Trafford.
