THERE is nothing more infuriating than spending ages looking, only to find the answer has been staring you in the face all along.
We’ve all been there. Usually it’s the most obvious of things as well.
The glasses still on your head, keys in the pocket, mobile on the charger…new manager hiding in plain sight.
OK, I’ll admit that last one is a little more left-field.
But after events this week, it may just be the blindingly blatant solution Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been seeking for months.
One which has loomed into sharp and clear focus thanks to the most indirect, yet instructive, of nudges from the FA.
The governing body which scoured England and Europe, before deciding the perfect fit was a German and plumped for Thomas Tuchel.
How ironic it would be, then, if Ratcliffe and his Ineos team came to the same conclusion and went down the Teutonic route at Manchester United.
And before the wise guys jump in, I’m well aware Erik ten Hag insists he still has the full support of the club’s so-called Management Team.
I also know his 12-month contract extension was activated in the summer.
But do you seriously believe Ten Hag isn’t a man on the edge?
That the odd impressive performance or result – like yesterday’s 2-1 win over Brentford – in the midst of the United mayhem will be enough?
The brutal truth is the Dutchman only kept his job because Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and Co couldn’t find a suitable replacement, one who ticked enough boxes.
Now, though, they just might. There is certainly a growing suggestion they are starting to think so, anyway. And, irony of ironies, he’s a German as well.
A man of proven European pedigree, a fluent English speaker, who has worked over here before and is keen to do so again.
And who – most appealingly of all for cost-cutting, count-the-pennies Sir Jim – could start at once, without his having to pay a bean in compensation.
Edin Terzic is the man in question. One of the most understated top-level gaffers over the last two years.
Two seasons ago his Borussia Dortmund side went within one goal of ending Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance, only blowing it with a last-day draw against Mainz.
Then last season they were Champions League finalists and pushed Real Madrid to the limit before buckling to two late goals.
Newcastle fans will remember Terzic. Dortmund beat them twice in the group of death, before impressively dumping Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid en route to Wembley.
If their outstanding football surprised many along the way, it was nothing compared to the manager’s out-of-the-blue decision to resign that followed.
The whisper back then was Terzic walked after falling out with senior players.
The bigger word now claims it was a point of principle.
Dortmund are a fan-owned club, which is great in theory but also means everyone thinks that gives them a say on everything from transfers to tactics.
When opinions clashed – guaranteed with so many would-be chiefs – Terzic handed in his resignation, packed his bags and walked away.
He’s been kicking his heels ever since, waiting for the right opening to plunge back in.
And United, so the word goes, are well aware… even if he has so far gone under the radar.
While all the bookies have a constant market on the next Old Trafford boss, only Paddy Power were alert to Terzic. And even then only as an 80-1 outsider.
By Neil Custis
MANCHESTER UNITED produced a rousing comeback to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.
Goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund cancelled out Ethan Pinnock’s first-half opener.
The Red Devils’ win will ease pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag, who this week defiantly blasted reports that he is on the verge of the sack.
On a crucial afternoon for Ten Hag and Co, here’s how SunSport rated each United performer.
ANDRE ONANA – 6
Did not have much to do for a lot of the game but pulled out a good first-half save to deny Christian Norgaard.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Good display from right-back and almost capped it with a goal when he stormed forward only to have his effort beaten away by Mark Flekken.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
At the centre of the controversy in first-half injury time as he had to leave the field with a bleeding head wound when Brentford scored from a corner. He was already looking suspect, as was the bandage that was put on his head early in the game in the first place.
JONNY EVANS – 7
Continuing an amazing end to his career at Old Trafford. Man of the Match last time out in the goalless draw at Aston Villa and looked solid again. Great ovation when he came off towards the end.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Shifted to an unaccustomed left-back spot but without problems and was particularly good getting forward down the flank.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Chosen alongside Casemiro instead of new buy Manuel Ugarte who was on the bench again, but struggled to get into this game although he was involved for Hojlund’s goal. Thankful for the referee’s whistle in the first period calling play back for a foul after missing a sitter.
CASEMIRO – 5
Looked like he was off in the summer but back in the team although looking to be missing a yard and often beaten to the ball.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Does not operate as well on the right but Garnacho was so good down the left. Highlight of his first half was an incredible crossfield ball from right to left to set up Garnacho. Then in the second he provided the assist for Garnacho’s leveller.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tried to orchestrate something from midfield but looked a frustrated figure in the first period. Then he showed his class after the break with that great little flick to set up Hojlund for his goal.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8
Had an all action first half after switching from the right to the left but wasted too many chances. Made up for it in the second with a fine finish from Rashford’s cross in a Man of the Match performance.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 7
After getting one in Porto to open his season’s account he is now off and running with his first league goal of the campaign. A cool, clever chipped little finish it was too. The hope will be that starts a much needed run of goals but he needs to see more of the ball.
SUBSTITUTES
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 74) – 5
Strange change to make after Hojlund had just scored. His replacement fluffed the one half chance he had.
Victor Lindelof (for Evans, 89) – 6
A change that largely gave the fans a chance to acclaim Evans’ performance.
Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 88) – 6
A change that probably should have come earlier.
Odds that subsequently crashed when Tuchel’s England appointment put Germany in vogue as a breeding ground of managerial talent.
And we’re not talking a chance-your-arm rookie in Terzic but someone who knows the Premier League from the days as a key part of Slaven Bilic’s staff when he was West Ham boss.
A man who – here’s another huge irony – did his Uefa Pro Licence in England on the same FA coaching course as Graham Potter and two United old boys, Nemanja Vidic and Nicky Butt.
Someone fluent in the language and the footballing culture… and desperate to come back to the Prem as a boss in his own right.
The ideal man, you would imagine, to lead United back towards the days Ratcliffe boasts they can again enjoy.
Maybe not title challengers just yet, but finally Edin in the right direction once more. The ball’s in your court, Sir Jim.
THE second Alphonse Le Grande won last week’s Cesarewitch, it was clear he wouldn’t keep the race.
Jockey Jamie Powell had used the whip ten times – four above the permitted level – meaning disqualification was inevitable. No grey area, no debate, not even from the victors.
Yet racing rules are such that the BHA’s Whip Racing Committee didn’t meet for three days… too late for those who’d backed promoted 7-1 runner-up Manxman.
An inability to sort it on the day is bad enough, another case of an antiquated, creaking-wheels system making the sport a laughing stock.
But the mass refusal of bookies – as is their right – to do the honourable thing and pay out on slips which were now winning ones was morally disgraceful.
No wonder so many people put them on a par with estate agents, traffic wardens and tax inspectors.
WE could all name a boss with the man-management skills of Genghis Khan — and you wouldn’t find many inside Old Trafford who would struggle for suggestions right now.
If only they gave out prizes for failing to read the room, Sir Jim Ratcliffe would indeed know what it was like to be a title winner.
Whether Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit as Manchester United ambassador is yet more ruthless cost-cutting or a mutually agreed parting is open to debate. But one thing is certain.
If your back’s against the wall, there are few better to have alongside you than Sir Alex.
As Ratcliffe will doubtless discover if things continue to go t**s-up.
ANGRY Little Englanders are out in force since Thomas Tuchel took the England job, insisting the boss must be from our shores.
One even labelled the German a manager of “limited success”.
With an unlikely Champions League win, three top-flight titles, Club World Cup and six more trophies, you wonder what it’d take to accept Tuchel as a high achiever.
