Trust in Ten Hag had diminished.

 Even in his first season, some had begun to voice their worries. His greatest moment may have been in the FA Cup final, but it may be more relevant to reflect on the Carabao Cup victory from the previous season, which was the last time he had real momentum. He was unable to expand upon it.

After defeating eventual winners Manchester City the month before, Ten Hag's club was only four points out of first place heading into that Wembley weekend in February of last year, three points behind them. Talk of fresh starts had been sparked by the first trophy in six years.

Ten Hag commented, "We can get a lot of inspiration from this and more confidence that we can do it," following the victory by Newcastle. "We have only just begun to put Manchester United back where it belongs: winning trophies. We're all together."

That humiliating 7-0 loss at Liverpool happened the very next week.

The fact that faith in Ten Hag first started to wane just as he appeared to be establishing himself is an awkward irony. After Cristiano Ronaldo's final United appearance, United even won nine straight games, ending the power struggle between the two players.

Ten Hag had talked about how his prior employment had been a touch tense in the beginning, but that everything had clicked once the players grasped his concepts. It was the opposite at United. There was more conflict in the second season. The third was disastrous.