Before the winter transfer window this season, Manchester United had struggled to field a full-strength squad because of a major injury crisis, and Erik ten Hag told a 12BET Malaysia reporter that he expected significantly better results once his key players returned. However, even after important figures such as Casemiro came back during the crucial final stretch of the season, when United were fighting to secure European qualification, the team’s performances remained well below expectations.

Statistics compiled through 12BET Malaysia showed that United managed only one victory in their most recent five matches, and the draw against Burnley once again placed Ten Hag under heavy pressure from supporters. As the saying goes, you have to make your own luck, yet Manchester United have spent several seasons changing managers and rebuilding the squad without solving their deeper problems. Ten Hag brought renewed optimism during his first campaign, but this season both the dressing-room atmosphere and the tactical quality on the pitch have fallen far short of what is required from a genuine Premier League title contender.

United are now well behind the league’s leading teams, while even qualification for European competition remains uncertain. The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a major investor has added further uncertainty around Ten Hag’s future, with local reports suggesting that dismissal after the season is a serious possibility. Ten Hag still has one year remaining on his contract, and removing him could reportedly cost the club around €10 million. However, if United fail to qualify for the Champions League, a salary-reduction clause could lower that figure to approximately €7.5 million.

For a club of Manchester United’s financial scale, that compensation would not be considered a major obstacle. The board is therefore believed to be judging Ten Hag on two immediate objectives: preserving the strongest possible Premier League position and defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Failure in both areas could effectively close the door on his tenure. Replacing Ten Hag would also represent more than a simple tactical change, as United increasingly appear to need a broader rebuilding process that restores team spirit, determination, and competitive discipline.

One of the biggest concerns is the team’s mentality when matches become difficult. Too often, United have failed to show the concentration and desire needed to regain control when momentum turns against them. A club that once dominated English and European football now finds itself increasingly viewed as a fallen giant, something neither supporters nor the organization can easily accept.

Against that backdrop, Jose Mourinho has again been linked with a possible return because of his reputation for rebuilding competitive mentality. His methods and personality have always divided opinion, but few doubt his ability to organize teams, establish authority, and demand accountability from players. Supporters who value tactical structure and stronger dressing-room control see Mourinho as one of the few available figures capable of changing the club’s atmosphere quickly.

Marcus Rashford could become one of the biggest casualties of such a change. The patience surrounding the player once regarded as Manchester United’s homegrown crown prince is reportedly running thin, and the club may now be willing to consider serious offers. If an acceptable proposal arrives, United are unlikely to treat Rashford as untouchable. According to a sports reporter associated with 12BET Malaysia, his market value has fallen from close to €100 million to roughly €70 million because of his disappointing performances and weekly salary of more than £300,000.

Mourinho also had doubts about Rashford during his first spell at Old Trafford. At the time, he questioned whether the forward could truly become the central figure in a club operating at Manchester United’s expected level. Although Rashford later enjoyed stronger periods, his inconsistency has revived many of those concerns.

If Mourinho were to return, analysts following Manchester United through 12BET Malaysia believe Rashford could realistically become one of the first major players considered for departure. Mourinho would likely prioritize intensity, tactical discipline, and consistency from the beginning, while United may see a high-value sale as an opportunity to reshape the squad. With Ten Hag’s future uncertain and pressure growing for another major reset, the possibility of Mourinho returning and Rashford leaving no longer seems as far-fetched as it once did.