Manchester United’s struggles continued on Sunday, with a 2-1 loss to West Ham at London Stadium. The Red Devils leveled the score in the 81st minute, only to concede a penalty in stoppage time, which Jarrod Bowen confidently converted, sealing the victory for West Ham. This defeat has left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, holding a mere 11 points from nine games. With only eight goals scored, United’s offensive performance ranks among the lowest in the league. In response to this ongoing decline, the club announced on Monday that Erik ten Hag has been dismissed from his role as manager.
The decision to part ways with Ten Hag comes less than two seasons after he led United to a League Cup title and secured Champions League qualification in the 2022-23 season. His first season had seemed promising: he helped rejuvenate Marcus Rashford, who went on to score 30 goals across all competitions and managed to cut ties with Cristiano Ronaldo, which many saw as a necessary move. Yet, after a steep downturn in form, United’s ambitions were derailed; they finished last season in eighth place—United’s lowest Premier League finish—and were eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League, securing only four points and missing out on even a Europa League spot.
Ten Hag’s tenure saw high-profile disputes and on-field challenges. His fallout with winger Jadon Sancho resulted in Sancho’s removal from the squad, while one of Ten Hag’s prized signings, Brazilian winger Antony, faced serious domestic violence allegations, further complicating matters. United’s defensive injuries and lack of cohesion also proved to be persistent issues, with key players like Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, and summer addition Mason Mount spending significant time sidelined. Even the usually reliable Casemiro, brought in from Real Madrid in 2022, returned from an injury stint far from his former self.
Despite some early optimism, United’s inconsistency this season has placed Ten Hag’s position under constant scrutiny. United’s best performance this season—a 3-0 victory over struggling Southampton in September—was not enough to quell doubts. Some anticipated Ten Hag’s dismissal over the October international break, but the club instead made the decision after two more lackluster performances.
Now, Manchester United has turned to club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim manager. Van Nistelrooy, who joined the coaching staff as Ten Hag’s assistant in July, previously managed PSV Eindhoven, achieving two Dutch Cup wins in 2022 and 2023. For United, Van Nistelrooy’s appointment is a stop-gap measure, and the club is expected to conduct a thorough search for a permanent manager.
As United enters this transitional period, they face significant challenges in rebuilding the team, re-aligning the development pipeline, and reinforcing both their defense and attack. The Red Devils’ leadership will need to consider a manager who can balance the club’s long-term aspirations with a practical approach to restoring United’s place among Europe’s elite.
Report contributed by Mogtma News
Leave a Reply