Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag as its manager following the club’s 1-2 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium last Sunday, October 27. United is languishing at the 14th position in the league table with only 11 points from nine matches. Manchester City, the club’s city-rival, has already opened up a 12-point lead over the Red Devils.
Ten Hag won the FA Cup last season, beating Manchester City in the final, which probably saved his job after United finished eighth in the Premier league and went out of the group stages in UEFA Champions League. However, he has been under some serious pressure since the beginning of the current season, as Manchester United’s performance has been pretty shambolic.
Manchester United’s Performances Poor Under ten Hag
Manchester United has scored eight goals and conceded 11 in Premier League this season, thus having a negative goal-difference. The Red Devils finished the last season with a negative goal difference in the league as well, which is unthinkable for a club of their stature.
United has now lost 18 of their last 47 Premier League matches, thus giving them a 40% losing record in that period. That is just as bad as it gets. Not to mention that the once-feared team has been regularly spanked by the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City during his reign.
The club has played uninspiring, dull football under the Dutch manager, preferring to get dominated in terms of ball-possession and chances created. Even lesser sides like Brentford and Crystal Palace have played Manchester United without much inhibitions of late, which never used to be the case a decade back.
There has been no progress under ten Hag for England’s biggest club, even considering the couple of trophies he won there. Winning an FA Cup and an EFL Cup cannot make up for steady regression in the Premier League and the Champions League during the last two seasons at Old Trafford. It is good that the club management has finally understood it and decided that enough was enough.
Ten Hag Needs to be Replaced by Big Name
Winning should be a habit for a club like Manchester United and the club needs a manager, who can inculcate it into his team. Preferably a big name, who has been there and done that, should be at the helm at United.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, a star striker during his playing days for United as well as Real Madrid and also the one who has been assisting ten Hag this season, might take over the reigns. However, the problem with van Nistelrooy is that he has not been the top man at a top club in his managerial career yet.
Hence, someone like Zinedine Zidane or Xabi, who are currently available, might get the job at Manchester United.
Zidane has won three Champions Leagues in succession with Real Madrid, Inzaghi has won the Serie A title and taken Inter Milan to a Champions League final, Conte has won the Premier League and multiple Serie A titles and Xavi has won the La Liga with Barcelona. However, Conte and Inzaghi are doing good work with Napoli and Inter Milan, respectively, which might mean that they are not interested in taking up the United job.
It thus remains to be seen who becomes ten Hag’s successor at Manchester United. The club faithfuls will be hoping that it is a top guy who has won big things in the past and will command some respect straightaway in the dressing room.