Erik ten Hag's five most humiliating defeats as Manchester United manager

The Dutchman has overseen many embarrassing losses as the Red Devils coach.

Erik ten Hag is currently under a lot of pressure after Ange Postecoglou’s team dominated his side on Sunday.

The most embarrassing aspect of Manchester United’s terrible 3-0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday might have been how predictable the result seemed. Erik ten Hag enjoys bragging about the two trophies he has won since taking over at Old Trafford in 2022, but the truth is that, if things do not change soon, his entire tenure at United will likely be defined by the numerous, embarrassing outcomes he has presided over.

With that note, we take a look at the former Ajax manager’s most embarrassing defeats as Manchester United head coach.

Erik ten Hag retains the backing of Manchester United bosses 🔴 pic.twitter.com/XMD6ovrJ5s

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 30, 2024

5. Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool – September 2, 2024

When United and their bitterest rivals met at Old Trafford in September 2024, Arne Slot reiterated Liverpool’s recent dominance after United went undefeated against their rivals during the 2023–24 campaign, which included a historic FA Cup victory.

Casemiro was the play’s arch-villain, committing two horrible mistakes in the first forty-five minutes and seeing his reputation severely damaged before Ten Hag hooked him gratefully at halftime. In the second half, the Red Devils didn’t get any better either. Unable to stop the Reds’ offense, they gave up three goals.

4. Manchester City 6-3 Manchester United – October 2, 2022

Ten Hag’s team faced the most dominant team in the Premier League in the Manchester derby, making for the worst conceivable start.

Before Martial scored twice to give the game a modicum of dignity, City appeared ready to repeat the 6-1 scoreline from 11 years ago at Old Trafford. Haaland scored a hat-trick and provided two assists in a one-sided derby. Phil Foden also scored a treble as Pep Guardiola’s side handed United one the most humbling losses.

3. Brentford 4-0 Manchester United – August 13, 2022

The opening-day loss at home to Brighton had damaged the pre-season excitement surrounding Ten Hag’s arrival. But a crushing loss to Brentford exposed the enormity of the challenge before the Dutchman.

The Red Devils contributed to their own defeat when David de Gea allowed Josh Dasilva’s soft effort to go past him for the first goal and then allowed Mathias Jensen to score the second goal when he attempted to play out from his own area. Then, after just 35 minutes, Ben Mee and Bryan Mbuemo scored quickly to give Brentford an incredible 4-0 lead.

2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Manchester United – May 6, 2024

In fairness to Ten Hag, his team had left for south London with nearly half of the first-team players. Five unproven teenagers and two goalkeepers made up the substitutes’ bench. The starting four included a right-back operating as a left-back and the 14th different centre-back combination of the season, one of whom was a midfielder. The other was a 36-year-old who had trained with the youth team the previous summer.

Additionally, it was the first time in his career that Bruno Fernandes missed a game due to an injury. With their worst loss of the year, United unintentionally broke the record by losing 13 Premier League games in a single season.

1. Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United – May 5, 2023

Surprisingly, United got off to a solid start in the match, but Cody Gakpo’s late strike just before halftime turned the tide. Following the half, the Red Devils were completely disintegrated. When Liverpool piled more pressure, normally steely figures like Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez couldn’t set their footing in the game, and Bruno Fernandes was at poorest form that day.

Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Gakpo all scored twice in the rampage, which ended as United’s worst-ever performance and their biggest loss since 1931.

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