Erik ten Hag Faces Crucial Week Amid Manchester United Struggles

Manchester United are set to stand by manager Erik ten Hag for the upcoming matches against Porto and Aston Villa, despite a demoralising 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday. The loss has intensified the pressure on Ten Hag, whose side currently sit 12th in the Premier League, having won only three of their nine matches across all competitions this season.

Following the defeat, Ten Hag insisted that he was “not thinking” about his job security, stating that he and the club’s leadership were “on the same page.” Senior sources within the club confirmed to BBC Sport that there is no immediate plan to replace the Dutchman, emphasizing that the focus remains on the crucial fixtures ahead.

United’s disappointing start to the season has left fans disillusioned after a summer of optimism, marked by a major transfer window and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 27.7% stake in the club. However, the statistics paint a grim picture for Ten Hag:

• The seven points earned after six games in the Premier League represent United’s joint-worst start to a season.
• United have failed to score in consecutive home defeats, a first since November 2021, during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final games in charge.
• The team’s -3 goal difference and failure to find a consistent goalscorer—no player has more than one league goal—are cause for concern.

Despite these challenges, Ten Hag, who signed a contract extension in the summer, remains backed by club executives, including Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth. Ratcliffe, whose Ineos sports division now controls football operations at the club, has not publicly commented on Ten Hag’s position but acknowledged last year that United’s struggles extended beyond just managerial decisions.

With a pivotal Europa League clash against Porto on Thursday and a Premier League test against in-form Aston Villa on Sunday, Ten Hag’s ability to stabilize the team will be under intense scrutiny. These matches precede a 13-day break for the international window, providing a potential reset—or exacerbating the current crisis at Old Trafford.

United’s hierarchy, mindful of previous decisions with managers like David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, appears reluctant to act hastily. However, poor performances in the coming days could force a rethink. As BBC Sport’s Simon Stone noted, “Leadership starts at the top. This is their first big test since concluding Ten Hag was the right man to stay in charge.”