Top five reasons why Manchester United should sack Erik ten Hag

The Red Devils have won only two games in the new season under Ten Hag.

The Red Devils’ manager needs to take responsibility for their abysmal performance since the team’s season is already collapsing.

Erik ten Hag would have been fired by most teams long ago, but for some reason, he stayed at Old Trafford. The coach has maintained his position for an additional year as United keep going from disaster to disaster. Sir Jim Ratcliffe stated that “the coach isn’t the central issue” after the INEOS group, who completed a minority takeover at the club in December. Possible Ten Hag replacements were interviewed after the Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League in May, including former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel. However, the parties were unable to come to an agreement.

Although Erik ten Hag was given another chance to continue at United, there hasn’t been any change in the club’s performance under him. With that, we take a look at five reasons why the Dutch manager should be sacked before it’s too late.

5. No philosophy & personality of players in the game

This is Erik ten Hag’s almost third season as Manchester United manager. The fans and pundits have yet to see any identity of the club under him. In the first season, it appeared that the club had finally managed to find an ideal manager who would instil a philosophy where the players would finally thrive.

However, in the second season, there was no sign of improvement, In the third season, it looks like the club are just spiralling down the drain, while players show no personality and lack of enthusiasm during the games.

Former Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker went a step further, telling BBC Sport: “What can be said about them that has not been said before? They have no identity, there is no culture, and none of it represents what Manchester United once were as a club. That is the scary thing.”

4. Not taking responsibility for United’s poor performance

In his post-match interaction with the media, Ten Hag addressed the mounting speculation over his future, telling reporters: “I am not thinking about this. We have to make some improvement in [the overarching] organisation, we still have some ­injuries, we need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat together, the ownership, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that concern.”

How much time is he asking for? The halfway point of Ten Hag’s third season in charge is almost approaching. The lack of development Manchester United have made over the past 2.5 years is not justifiable.

3. Poor transfer ID

Erik ten Hag has spent almost £600 million ($805m) on 15 permanent recruits since joining the club from Ajax. Maybe Lisandro Martinez is the only one who can be called successful, although even ‘The Butcher’ has had a few bad games, most recently against Tottenham.

At £85 million ($114 million), Antony has shown himself to be an absolute waste of money, with just 17 goals in 84 appearances. Elsewhere, the £135 million ($181 million) combo of Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount has failed to make a major impression due to ongoing injury issues.

Although Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have adapted rather well, their roles at Bayern Munich were essentially that of backup players.

2. Sub-par man management

Jadon Sancho is a prime example of how he never thrived under Ten Hag, and there are multiple reasons for this. The first is poor nurturing because it looked like the former Ajax manager never managed to help the former Borussia Dortmund star reach his potential at the club. Moreover, Marcus Rashford has continued to struggle despite having a productive season under Ten Hag’s first reign as Manchester United coach.

Erik ten Hag treated Cristiano Ronaldo harshly as well, which led to a story that caused the team unnecessary attention before the Portuguese player’s release in November 2022. The Dutch coach additionally urged players such as Harry Maguire, Amad Diallo and Antony to do better in front of the media, rather than keeping things to themselves.

1. No personality as a manager

Everyone around Sir Alex Ferguson respected him and he had a fierce personality. He continues to be regarded as the epitome of what a Manchester United manager is supposed to be because of this. Ten Hag, regrettably, is the total opposite.

The Dutchman strikes as a perfectly kind man, yet he lacks confidence. He’s not a skilled communicator, frequently speaking in riddles rather than straightforward phrases. His cringe-worthy attempts to humiliate reporters who dare to call out the problems at the club reveal a deep-seated fear.

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