Ten Hag’s future in doubt after Spurs humiliation

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By Martin Graham | 30th Sep 2024
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, faces increasing pressure following a devastating 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. The defeat, marked by a disorganized and ineffective United performance, has once again raised serious questions about Ten Hag’s future at the club. Despite being backed by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the restructured board over the summer, the 54-year-old now finds himself on the edge, with each poor result only intensifying the scrutiny on his tenure.

Winning the EFL Cup 18 months ago and the FA Cup last season — in a dramatic final against Manchester City — were the highlights of his time in charge. However, those moments of success are now overshadowed by repeated setbacks. Sunday’s loss to Spurs, in particular, stands out as one of the most humiliating displays under his management.

United collapse under Spurs pressure
From the start of the match, Tottenham dominated. Spurs were relentless, and United’s defensive weaknesses were exposed within minutes. The tone was set early when Spurs’ defender Micky van de Ven made a surging run from deep in his own half, leaving United players trailing behind him before setting up Brennan Johnson for an easy finish. Despite Tottenham’s overwhelming dominance, United managed to reach halftime down by just one goal, though it seemed a miracle they weren’t further behind given how many chances the visitors created.

After the break, United’s situation deteriorated even further. They offered little resistance to Spurs’ relentless attack and were punished for their lack of organization and discipline. Tottenham’s resurgence under their manager, Ange Postecoglou, who has also faced scrutiny this season, now appears to be gaining momentum, with this victory marking their fourth consecutive win after a shaky start.

How much time does Ten Hag have left?
As fans began to leave Old Trafford in the pouring rain, it was impossible to avoid the question: can Erik ten Hag turn this around? The Dutch manager has managed to pull the club back from the edge in the past, particularly during the summer when his future was in doubt. But after a performance as chaotic as this, his ability to guide Manchester United out of the current crisis seems increasingly doubtful.

What had previously looked like small improvements in United’s defense this season appeared distant on Sunday. With pressure mounting from fans and the media, Ten Hag’s position appears fragile. Whether or not this defeat marks the final chapter of his time at Old Trafford remains to be seen, but it’s clear that his hold on the job is hanging by a thread.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer