Only three games into the 2024/2025 campaign, Erik ten Hag’s future in the dugout is already in doubt.
The Manchester United manager has his side entering the first international break of the season on the back of two straight defeats, the latter of which saw them comfortably turned over by arch-rivals Liverpool on home turf.
It’s less than three months since INEOS concluded their end-of-season review with the decision that they would stick with Ten Hag for the foreseeable future. At the time, he had just one year remaining on his contract, so was granted an extension until 2026.
Yet, as plenty of supporters had predicted would be the case, United immediately reverted to their old ways as soon as the term began. Even the 1-0 win over Fulham, which came courtesy of a late goal by debutant Joshua Zirkzee, was far from a convincing victory on opening day.
An injury-time dagger at the Amex could’ve been prevented had any single player thought to check the back post, while the less said about the side’s showing vs Liverpool, the better. Yet another humiliation to add to the list that the Merseyside outfit have inflicted in recent years.
Prior to the game, INEOS chiefs Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada affirmed their faith in the Dutchman being the right man for the job, though whether their stance changed slightly after watching on from the stands on Sunday remains to be seen.
Spoke to Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth before #mufc's defeat to Liverpool. Berrada on Ten Hag: 'We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.'
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) September 2, 2024
Ten Hag must act fast or else risk losing his job
Journalist Henry Winter reacted to their comments on X/Twitter this morning and proceeded to list the three things the owners are waiting to see implemented by Ten Hag ‘asap’.
“Sensible of MUFC powerbrokers to signal support for Ten Hag, however frustrated they are,” Winter said. “Dampens damaging speculation about his future (for now), especially during international break vacuum. But ETH needs players fit and his team to show some identity, cohesion and a plan asap.”
Surely, Omar Berrada or Dan Ashworth are not going to give anything away.
If indeed, he is to be sacked, it will come suddenly without prior warning.
But Erik ten Hag is on thin ice and another defeat in the next few games, will surely result in being sacked and Ruud Van Nistelrooy and his team taking over.
Leaving aside the various Cup competitions, our next 4 League matches are away to Southampton, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa, sandwiching a home tie with Spurs. I don’t see us getting more than 4 points out of the 12 available, and only then if we beat Southampton.
Anyone think we’ll do better?