Ten Hag's future, Euro boost, transfer plan - Everything that's happened since Man United finished the season

The curtain came down on Manchester United's 2023/24 season in style at Wembley. A campaign that had looked like one to forget ended with a memory to last a lifetime and an FA Cup final success against Manchester City.

United were underdogs under the arch but Erik ten Hag delivered the perfect game plan, executed superbly by his players, to end a dismal season on a high.

But that memorable day is receding into the distance and plans are well underway for a busy summer at Old Trafford, with so many issues for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos to sort through in what is their first transfer window since taking charge of the club's football operations.

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United's season might have ended a week later than the majority of their Premier League rivals, but plenty has already happened since the final whistle blew on 2023/24. This is a recap of what has developed so far.

Ten Hag's future

There has been one topic that has dominated above all others over the last couple of weeks and that is the uncertainty around the future of Ten Hag.

Ineos are conducting an end-of-season review that will have a significant impact on the future of the 54-year-old but the process has now become an unedifying one and Ten Hag is being treated shabbily.

Despite lifting the FA Cup just a couple of weeks ago, the Dutchman hangs on to his job while Ineos conduct talks with potential replacements. Thomas Tuchel is now out of the running and Gareth Southgate remains unattainable.

United haven't put a timeframe on a decision but clarity is required and a conclusion seems likely this week. Ten Hag was still on holiday last week and hasn't been involved in discussions over the review since the season concluded in such memorable fashion at Wembley.

European all clear

That result secured United entry into European competition for 2024/25, having missed out through the Premier League with a dismal eighth-placed finish.

Beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final secured a spot in the Europa League, which will be valuable financially as the club continue to battle PSR concerns with the Premier League.

United's spot in the Europa League was initially vulnerable, with fellow Ineos-owned club Nice also securing a place in the same competition, which is technically banned under UEFA's multi-club ownership rules. Under the existing rules, Nice would have taken precedence as the club with the higher league finish.

But last week UEFA gave the all-clear for both teams to compete in the Europa League next season, although there has since been speculation that Ratcliffe could look to sell Nice to avoid potential issues in the future.

Contrasting Euros fate

Southgate announced his 33-man pre-Euro 2024 squad before the FA Cup final so we already knew Marcus Rashford would be having the summer off, but there have been contrasting fortunes for a few other United players since then.

Kobbie Mainoo has, as expected, made the final cut for the 26-man squad for the tournament, although his chances of starting alongside Declan Rice in midfield were damaged by a collectively poor performance against Iceland at Wembley last Friday.

Luke Shaw wasn't involved in that game but has surprisingly been included in the squad for Germany, with his injury recovery going better than expected. He could feature against Serbia on June 16, by which point it will be four months since his last appearance for United.

Shaw's inclusion means the axe has fallen on Harry Maguire, however. The centre-back has struggled to get over a calf injury he picked up at the start of May and Southgate felt he could only gamble on the fitness of one of his two United defenders.

Contract clarity

United's retained list was never likely to offer any real surprises and it confirmed that Brandon Williams will leave the club alongside Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial when his contract expires at the end of this month. The club remain in discussions with Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans over potential extensions to their deals.

There was also formal confirmation that Omari Forson has been offered a contract, although he is still expected to leave the club and the move to offer him terms is a formality that secures the right to compensation for the academy winger.

There is also a delay in confirming a decision over Sofyan Amrabat's future, with United holding the option to make his loan move permanent for €25m. A final call on that is likely once the future of Ten Hag has been sorted.

Talking of loan deals, Will Fish, Donny van de Beek, Hannibal Mejbri, Facundo Pellistri, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood will all officially return to the club on June 30. All are likely to depart again this summer.

Branthwaite interest

The transfer window is yet to really get going this summer and it doesn't officially open until Friday, but one player United are interested in is Jarrad Branthwaite. His exclusion from England's Euro 2024 squad and Everton's potential desire to sell before June 30 to boost their PSR position makes the 21-year-old centre-back one to watch.

United plan to sign at least one central defender this summer and Branthwaite is high on the list of potential targets. Everton's valuation of £70m to £80m is ambitious in light of not making the England squad and their own perilous financial position.

Huddlestone departs

A low-key departure last week, with Tom Huddlestone leaving the club after two years in the player/coach role within the under-21 set-up. That came after Paul McShane had spent a year occupying the same position.

United feel the initiative has been valuable with their young players benefitting from the coaching and experience provided by the senior player, especially during games, and they are open to continuing it into next season.

But that depends on the availability of a suitable candidate for the 2024/25 season.