September 30 – Time looks to be running out for Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag as pressure mounts on his future at Old Trafford and bookmakers making him favourite to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job. Man Utd have collected just seven points from their first six games.
The latest blow came after his side suffered their third Premier League defeat of the season, falling 3-0 to Spurs on Sunday.
Man Utd’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, was sent off for a high challenge on Spurs midfielder James Maddison, compounding Ten Hag’s woes. Fernandes will now miss crucial matches against Aston Villa, Brentford, and West Ham due to a three-match ban.
Man Utd currently sit 12th in the Premier League, with just one win in their last five games – a form that leaves them closer to the relegation zone than to rivals Liverpool at the top of the table.
Despite his struggles, Man Utd’s owners, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, opted to back Ten Hag in July, extending his contract until June 2026 after considering potential replacements.
Following Sunday’s defeat, Ten Hag was asked about his future but downplayed concerns. “No, I am not thinking about this. We made a collective decision in the summer – ownership, leadership, and myself – to stay together. We knew changes would take time, especially with late arrivals like Ugarte, injuries, and squad adjustments. We’re all aligned – ownership, staff, and players. I don’t have that concern.”
Ten Hag was also supported in the transfer market this summer, with the signings of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Manuel Ugarte.
Since taking over in 2022, Ten Hag has been given over €720 million in transfer funds, much of which was spent on players now playing limited roles, like €95 million signing Antony and €64 million Mason Mount, who have played just 147 Premier League minutes between them this season.
Big-money signings Yoro and Zirkzee, who arrived for a combined €105 millio this summer, have yet to make a significant impact. Yoro is sidelined until November, and Zirkzee has gone seven games without a goal involvement, including the recent loss to Spurs.
While a disappointing 2023/24 season was partially redeemed by winning the FA Cup against rivals Manchester City, the same flaws that left United in eighth place last season remain evident.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1727710499labto1727710499ofdlr1727710499owedi1727710499sni@g1727710499niwe.1727710499yrrah1727710499