After just over two years as Manchester United manager, Dutchman Erik ten Hag has received his marching orders after a shocking run of domestic and European form to start the season.
Ten Hag’s future had been in the balance for what seemed like an eternity, as Manchester United’s inconsistent form raised questions as to whether the former Ajax boss was up to the task of finally restoring the English giants to glory – a job that no coach has truly achieved since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
Here are five huge moments that contributed to Ten Hag’s demise as United coach!
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- 7-0 loss to Liverpool
Arguably United’s most humiliating defeat ever, Liverpool’s dismantling of The Red Devils in ten Hag’s first season as United boss was a huge blow as he looked to build favour with the fanbase. After a competitive first half in which Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for The Reds, the wheels completely fell off for ten Hag’s men as Liverpool ran riot to score six second half goals against their historic rivals.
- Fallout with Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United finished in acrimonious circumstances, with ten Hag opting to freeze the legendary forward out of his plans as he looked to build a younger core for his team. This was a bold move – Ronaldo is arguably the biggest personality the sport has ever seen and to go against him created a serious rift between the player’s loyal fanbase and the Dutchman. Upon leaving for pastures new in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo staged a series of interviews fighting his corner, further piling pressure on ten Hag in his debut season.
- Questionable transfer policy
Ten Hag’s transfers as Manchester United boss have been largely underwhelming – spending huge money on a group of players who are yet to prove themselves at Old Trafford. Opting to raid his former club Ajax in a bid to get off to a good start in England, ten Hag spent big money on Brazilian winger Antony and defender Lisandro Martinez – two players who are yet to repay the huge fees spent on them. Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund were also signed for more than £200 million cumulatively and have shouldered a huge amount of criticism as other top 6 EPL clubs continue to out-perform United in the transfer market
- FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester City
The 2023 FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester City was seen as a serious blow for ten Hag at the end of his first season in England, as their cross-city rivals won their second trophy on their way to a historic treble-winning campaign. United were up against it from the off, with City talisman Ilkay Gundogan scoring a stunning goal within the opening minute. This match was seen as a real opportunity for United to stop City in their tracks as they looked to equal Sir Alex Ferguson’s previously unprecedented Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble, but City proved too much to handle.
- Shocking start to 2024/25 season
United’s defeat to West Ham United this past weekend was the straw that broke the camel’s back for ten Hag after a string of hapless performances both domestically and in Europe for The Red Devils. United are winless in the Europa league after three consecutive draws to FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce, and sit 14th in the English Premier League with just 11 points after nine matches. Crushing 3-0 home losses to both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool put then pressure on ten Hag from early on in the season and he never truly recovered.
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