Erik ten Hag’s plot remains unchanged in the new season.
Only months after the Dutchman was granted a reprieve – and a contract extension – by Manchester United following months of rumors that he would be fired, the former Ajax manager finds himself in trouble once more.
Ten Hag’s 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Sunday has left him with must-win games against FC Porto and Aston Villa later this week, and his long-term future appears dismal. With publications once again disputing Ten Hag’s future ahead of the impending international break, we asked the Mirror Football crew for their thoughts on the Red Devils manager…
Simon Mullock
If there had been a clear substitute for Erik ten Hag, the Dutchman would have been toast in the summer.
To fire Ten Hag now would be an admission of guilt from Sir Jim Ratcliffe that his INEOS brains trust not only got it wrong by granting Ten Hag a reprieve, but also exacerbated the error by providing him an additional £220 million to spend on new acquisitions.
United fans blame the Glazers for their team’s decline. Sacking Ten Hag after just six games would be the equivalent of “meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
There is something structurally wrong at Old Trafford, and I am not referring to the stadium’s decaying state.
Ratcliffe’s arrival, followed by the hiring of Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, and Jason Wilcox, was expected to play a significant role in the solution.
Bayern Munich would have hired Ten Hag in the summer if United had fired him after winning the FA Cup.
Even if United recognizes him as THE issue, it is evident that they have no viable answer.
Daniel Orme
Yes, Manchester United should release Erik ten Hag. Since the Dutchman came at Old Trafford, there has been little to no development.
There is no clear style of play. Players have been badly underperforming, and it is evident that the club’s management has been preparing to move on for some time.
Sure, a change in manager is not always the answer, but it is evident that there are many more questions about Ten Hag.
Jeremy Cross
The basic answer is “yes.”
Erik ten Hag now owns the Manchester United squad after investing more than £600 million in signings.
The tactics and identity of any team reflect the manager in control, and United are far from where they should be.
It is evident that United will not achieve their goals under Ten Hag, therefore fire him immediately. Why wait?
Mike Walters
Hindsight is wonderful, but Ten Hag should have received his carriage clock after the FA Cup final.
That would have allowed him to go on a high note, adored by the fans, but instead, he was given another transfer treasure trove in the summer – and it does not appear that he used it wisely.
If Ugarte, Zirkzee, De Ligt, and Mazraoui were such hot prospects, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool would have pursued them.
After being hammered by Liverpool at Old Trafford last month, United’s car-crash performance against Tottenham was a recipe for disaster.
Enough is enough, and Sir Jim’s politburo must choose between having fun and rebuilding in serious.
Scott Trotter
Should Erik ten Hag be fired? The array of performances that would support this only appears to be growing.
Home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham have highlighted the Red Devils’ struggle to compete for a berth in Europe this season, and a lack of ideas in front of goal indicates difficulties that will take time to resolve.
Those who support United will hope Ten Hag has more persuasive answers behind the scenes about how to improve his team than he has on TV thus far. With Bruno Fernandes due to be suspended and Aston Villa waiting, things will not get any simpler.
However, the Premier League season is just six games old. Ten Hag plainly wielded power over the summer’s transfer business in collaboration with the new hierarchy; it would be unusual to enable his involvement to then burden someone else with his decisions.
Patience is necessary, but it should wear thin.
Andy Dunn
The basic problem at Old Trafford is that the team is not fit for purpose, which is to compete successfully at the top table of professional football on a weekly basis.
Ten Hag has some of the blame for having rubber-stamped some disastrous acquisitions, but he is not the only one.
And on their day, United can be a formidable opponent.
However, there are too many performances that lack dynamism, commitment, and tactical nous for him to continue.
Neil McLeman
Should Manchester United sack Erik ten Hag, and if so, who should replace him?
Yes. After more than two years and 123 games, the Dutchman’s squad is still a wreck, and he continues to deny it.
Ten Hag was granted a stay of execution in the summer following his FA Cup victory, and he was rewarded with a new contract and fresh acquisitions. However, after finishing eighth last season, they are now ranked 12th, below Fulham, Brentford, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest. It cannot continue like way. Two more loses – or terrible performances – against Porto and Villa and he will be out.
Mark Jones
Manchester United let up more goals than they scored in the Premier League last season. I’ll never understand how it wasn’t enough grounds to fire Erik ten Hag right away.
Of course, the FA Cup final victory over a shattered Manchester City covered up cracks the size of the holes in the Old Trafford roof, and we were then subjected to the usual cheerleading from United fans who had suddenly decided everything was going to be fine again for reasons best known to them.
They’re not going anywhere under Ten Hag, and Sunday’s performance was a repetition of the Old Trafford humiliation fans have become accustomed to in recent years. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had good results against Porto and Aston Villa because that’s what they do, but it wouldn’t be long before we’d be back here asking the same questions after their next humiliating setback.
So, get rid. Go back in time to the summer and get rid of it then, if possible.
Simon Bird
Erik ten Hag has had plenty of opportunity to demonstrate that he can enhance Manchester United.
There is no sign that this season will be any different than the last one. A battle for sixth or eighth place, with the possibility of doing business in the cups.
United want stability and an identity on the field, and it’s all a bit chaotic. Ten Hag will depart sometime before January.
David Anderson
Manchester United should sack Erik ten Hag, and they should have done so at the end of last season.
They bottled it because he defeated Manchester City against all odds in the FA Cup Final, but there should be no question anymore.
Sunday was a disaster, and Ten Hag had no excuses since it was his team, which cost more than £600 million.
That side is talented enough for the top four, and the problem is definitely Ten Hag; he’s not getting the most out of them.
Dan Marsh
Sunday felt like the start of the end for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United. And if that happens, it’s probably best for everyone.
Ten Hag has credit in the bank after winning titles in each of his first two seasons as manager, but (apologies in advance for my pundit impression), this is Manchester United. You cannot finish below the top six in the Premier League as manager of this team. It simply won’t wash.
Yes, it’s not even October yet, and there’s still plenty of football to be played, but United are already well behind their league’s leading opponents. This isn’t simply a group of misfits, either. Ten Hag has been provided with adequate funding, and the majority of the players at his disposal are his own.
It’s fairly simple. It’s time for both Manchester United and Ten Hag to freshen things up.
