Erik ten Hag sent 20-word message by player Man Utd have let go while manager stays

Former Manchester United ace Omari Forson – who departed the club this week – promised Erik ten Hag he will fulfill his potential. While the Red Devils boss' future at Old Trafford has just been secured, 19-year-old Forson has left to join Serie A side Monza on a free transfer.

The young Englishman announced his move to the club on the same day it was confirmed Ten Hag would remain in his post, despite the tumultuous campaign he endured. While last season is one many United players and fans will want to forget, Forson will hold it in his memory for a long time.

Ten Hag deployed the England U20 international in the league on four occasions this season, including his Premier League debut in January, which saw him notch an assist within four minutes of United's vital 4-3 away victory over Wolves. When Ten Hag and Forson's future was confirmed, the 19-year-old uploaded an Instagram story of him and the United boss on the sidelines, with a pointed message to the ex-Ajax manager.

Forson said: “Appreciate all the opportunities you gave me. Gonna show the world what you saw in me a long time ago.”

In total, Forson made seven appearances for the United first team this season, four in the Premier League and three in the FA Cup. Aside from his late assist against Wolves, he was not able to convince the United hierarchy he deserved a new contract and has moved on to his next challenge.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag is entering the final year of his deal at Old Trafford, but is in talks over an extension. This season was a dreadful one for United, having exited the Champions League in the group stages and finishing in eighth position in the Premier League, their lowest ever finish since the inception of the division in 1992.

However, their Premier League campaign finished with impressive victories at home to Newcastle United and away to Brighton and Hove Albion, before their season as a whole concluded with a stunning FA Cup final triumph over fierce rivals Manchester City. As a result of winning the famous old trophy, United managed to earn a place in the Europa League.

United had been linked with ex-Chelsea managers Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino as well as current Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna.

The club carried out an end of season review of Ten Hag's campaign to decide his future, and while some will be surprised that Ten Hag remained at the club, the comments of United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggests they want a manager who can be there for the long-term. In an interview in February, Ratcliffe said: "I'm not going to comment on Erik ten Hag because I think it would be inappropriate to do that.

"But what I think is relevant to the question or the answer is if you look at the 11 years since David Gill and Sir Alex stepped down, there have been a whole series of coaches, some of whom were very good, and none of them have been successful or survived for very long, which I think is correct. You can't blame all the coaches.

"The only conclusion you can draw is the environment in which they were working in didn't work. Erik has been in that environment. I'm talking about the organisation, the people in the structure, the atmosphere and all that sort of thing in the club, we have to do that bit.

"I'm not really focused on the coach, I'm focused on getting that bit right. It's not for me to judge that anyway. I'm not a football professional."