Ten Hag Faces Uncertain Future After Shocking Defeat to Spurs
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag appeared visibly troubled after Tottenham Hotspur handed his team a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, raising serious questions about his tenure. With United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe choosing to support Ten Hag over the summer, the pressure is mounting; one more poor result could spell crisis for the manager.
This latest performance was among the worst of Ten Hag’s time in charge—shambolic, disorganized, and lacking discipline. Having enjoyed some highs, including winning the EFL Cup and the FA Cup final against Manchester City, this match marked a stark low point.
In contrast, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is enjoying a revival, achieving his fourth consecutive win since a rocky start to the season. The stark difference between the two teams was evident as Spurs dominated the game from the outset, with Micky van de Ven setting up Brennan Johnson for an early goal.
Despite the red card shown to United captain Bruno Fernandes just before half-time, Ten Hag’s claims that it “changed the game” seem misguided. Spurs were already threatening to run rampant before the dismissal, and Fernandes’s absence only compounded United’s struggles.
The team’s inadequacies were on full display, with their midfield being easily overrun. New signing Manuel Ugarte failed to make an impact, while Joshua Zirkzee, substituted at half-time, has yet to deliver on expectations.
Currently languishing in 12th place in the Premier League with only seven points from six games, United has now suffered back-to-back home league defeats without scoring. This trend recalls the dismissals of previous managers like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who faced the axe after similarly dire performances.
United’s defensive frailties were alarming, with Spurs creating numerous chances—Dejan Kulusevski notably producing nine opportunities, the most by a visiting player at Old Trafford since records began in 2003-04. The grim statistics pile up, highlighting a downward trajectory: United has lost 23 Premier League matches by three or more goals in their last 424 games, a stark contrast to the 22 such losses in 1,035 games under Sir Alex Ferguson.
With only four goals scored this season, the current tally is among the lowest in Premier League history for the club at this stage. The atmosphere around Old Trafford is one of despair, leading many to question whether Ten Hag remains the right man for the job.
The reality appears grim—Ten Hag is holding onto his position largely by default, with Ratcliffe and his team failing to find a suitable successor over the summer. As the team displayed no coherent strategy or identity, the lack of discipline became painfully evident with reckless challenges from players like Mason Mount and Lisandro Martinez.
As Ten Hag prepares for a challenging week ahead, including a Europa League trip to Porto and a visit to Aston Villa, the question remains: can he survive this latest setback? Spurs fans even chanted, “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” adding to the pressure. This was a dark day for Ten Hag, signaling that the end of his time at Manchester United may be drawing near.