Three games into the new season, and the rumblings about Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United have already begun. Harsh? Perhaps. But United’s shaky start—a narrow win against Fulham followed by defeat to Brighton (yet again) and a humbling 3-0 loss at home to bitter rivals Liverpool (also, again)—has triggered familiar questions.
In this essay, we’ll dissect ten Hag’s current predicament, where it went wrong, and whether there’s still time for the Dutchman to turn things around.
A Triumphant Return… Or So We Thought
Many, myself included, did not expect ten Hag to remain at the helm for this season. Reports that United’s hierarchy had begun interviewing potential replacements before the previous campaign had even ended seemed to signal his impending departure. Yet, an FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, combined with rumours of disagreements over responsibilities with Thomas Tuchel, saw INEOS stick with the Dutchman.
Not only did ten Hag survive, but United spent aggressively in the transfer market, landing players like Yoro, Zirkzee, Ugarte, and Matthijs de Ligt. On paper, it was a squad ready to align with ten Hag’s grand vision for Old Trafford. But reality has painted a different picture.
The Stumble Out of the Gate
United haven't had the best of starts to the new season, they picked up a win on opening day, followed by two defeats to Brighton and Liverpool. They currently have a goal difference of -3 after three games and sit 14th on the table. And, unfortunately, most of this has been down to Ten Hag's own doing.
Tactically United still lack any real identity of footballing shape, with Ten Hag insisting on playing his 4-2-4-0 (best way I can describe it) with the team mostly sitting back in a midblock looking to open up teams from the midfield, but without the attacking ability to do so.
In terms of team selection, the Dutchman has also come under fire. Opting to start the season with Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes operating as False Nines and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench. Other crimes include playing a woefully out of form Marcus Rashford ahead of Garnacho and Amad. Starting Harry Maguire ahead of new signing De Light. The biggest frustration being that new signings that were brought in are being left on the bench in favour of players who clearly have not been performing, and then deciding to throw the new signings into the fire against Liverpool.
Ten Hag’s communication style has done him no favours either. Cagey press conferences have become the norm, and his cryptic responses when questioned on poor performances are wearing thin. When asked about Ugarte’s availability, his “I’m not Harry Potter” quip did little to inspire confidence, and his frequent allusions to his two cup victories as evidence of progress sound hollow when weighed against United’s league performances. As one of his predecessors rightly pointed out, success at Manchester United is measured in league performance, not cup runs.
Ten Hag’s demeanour is becoming a cause for concern, and his continued deflection of criticism isn’t helping his cause.
What Now for Ten Hag?
So, where does United go from here? It’s still far too early to make any drastic decisions about ten Hag’s future. The most logical approach would be to reassess the situation come December—a sentiment shared by many on Farcaster.
The upcoming fixtures provide some hope for respite. Southampton away, Crystal Palace away, and Spurs at home are matches that United should realistically expect to win. But we know football isn’t always that simple. Should things go awry, ten Hag’s fate may well be sealed before Christmas.
Whispers around Old Trafford suggest that Tuchel’s name is once again being mentioned, and while such talk is premature, it undoubtedly adds to the pressure surrounding ten Hag.
Critical Crossroads
If you ask rival fans, they’d likely relish the idea of ten Hag staying on indefinitely—an indication, perhaps, of how far United have fallen. The Dutchman’s future now hinges on results in the coming months. Will he silence the doubters or become the latest in a long line of managers unable to restore Manchester United to their former glory?
INEOS has backed him this far, but the club’s trajectory under ten Hag remains uncertain. A December review feels like the most prudent move, but in football, things can change quickly. If United’s performances don’t improve soon, the Dutchman may find that time is no longer on his side.
Optimists will argue that ten Hag deserves more time, but the longer this malaise drags on, the more difficult the decision becomes for United’s hierarchy. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but one thing is clear: this is make-or-break time for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
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