Man Utd FM Simulation Post-Ten Hag Era: Southgate at the Helm, Securing Premier League Top Four and Europa League Trophy

After losing to Tottenham Hotspur, Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag’s position became precarious. The Manchester Evening News used Football Manager (FM) to simulate the post-Ten Hag era, where Man Utd replaced Ten Hag with Gareth Southgate, ultimately securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and winning the Europa League.

The Manchester Evening News set up the current season’s Premier League squads in the game, all updated in real-time up until Man Utd’s 0-3 loss to Tottenham. Subsequently, Man Utd decided to sack Ten Hag and promptly hired former England national team coach Gareth Southgate. Despite not winning many matches against the ‘Big Six’ under Southgate’s leadership, Man Utd did not lose too many games either, even managing to win the Manchester Derby in December.

According to the game data, Southgate led Man Utd to accumulate 72 points, an increase of 12 points from the previous season, with a final record of 21 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses. Under Southgate, Man Utd only lost 5 games. However, Southgate’s conservative style of play resulted in Man Utd scoring only 60 goals, while also conceding just 40 goals, 18 fewer than the previous season.

Gareth Southgate did not change Man Utd’s playing style, maintaining the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ugarte and Casemiro anchoring the midfield, Bruno Fernandes continuing as the number 10, and Rashford and Garnacho becoming key players for Man Utd.

Under Southgate’s leadership, Man Utd finished fourth in the league, ahead of Chelsea and Tottenham, trailing only Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal. Additionally, Man Utd performed well in the Europa League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, eventually defeating Lazio in the Europa League final to lift the trophy.