Manchester United 'consider' Erik ten Hag sack – with next few matches critical: report

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under significant pressure, with a sack looming if results don't improve

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and Manchester United at Allianz Arena on September 20, 2023 in Munich, Germany.
(Image credit: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Manchester United are considering sacking manager Erik ten Hag after just over a year in the role.

The Dutchman had a successful first season at Old Trafford, winning the club's first piece of silverware since 2017 in the form of the League Cup and qualifying for the Champions League. But things have taken a turn since and Manchester United have endured a tough start to the season.

Defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League midweek means that the Red Devils have won just two of their six opening fixtures in all competitions, with Sky's Paul Merson stating that they're "already out of the title race". 

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks dejected following the team's defeat in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on September 16, 2023 in Manchester, England.

Defeat against Brighton left Manchester United "out of the title race" already, according to some (Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Spanish publication Fichajes says that United's "deep crisis" has left Ten Hag on a "tightrope", with the club's hierarchy considering a change of manager after just over a year. 

Football 365, however, suggests that "it’s hard to see a not-so-reputable Spanish media outlet having reliable information" about the situation at Old Trafford. While it is likely that Ten Hag has built up a fair amount of faith following his good first season, however, Saturday night's fixture against Burnley is now critical. 

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Vincent Kompany's Clarets were much-improved against Nottingham Forest on Monday night and defeat could see United drop to as low as 16th by the end of the weekend's fixtures. Kompany has, however, lept to the defence of his opposite number on Saturday night, calling Ten Hag "extremely capable:.

"One thing this man has demonstrated is that he is extremely capable," Kompany said. "There is no doubting that. All the rest that is happening in the outside world, he can't control that."

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany reacts after his side's Championship game against Preston North End in February 2023.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has backed Ten Hag (Image credit: Getty Images)

1908.nl in Ten Hag's native Netherlands reports that Feyenoord manager Arne Slot is to be lined up as the next man in the dugout – though the bookies have placed Zinedine Zidane as the favourite for the role. 

Ten Hag has a win percentage of 63.2, after 68 games as United boss. 

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Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.