From the outset, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United struggled to find their rhythm, with Tottenham taking an early lead just three minutes into the game. Brennan Johnson capitalized on a well-timed cross from Micky van de Ven, slotting the ball into the back of the net at the far post to give Spurs the early advantage.
Things went from bad to worse for United just before the break when Bruno Fernandes received a straight red card, leaving his team with a major setback. Down to 10 men, United faced a daunting task going into the second half. Shortly after the restart, Tottenham capitalized on their numerical advantage, doubling their lead when Dejan Kulusevski found the back of the net with a close-range effort.
Despite showing some signs of improvement as the match progressed, Manchester United found themselves on the back foot again in the 77th minute. Tottenham sealed their 3-0 victory with a third goal that slipped past goalkeeper Andre Onana, effectively putting the game beyond United’s reach. As the final whistle blew, United fans expressed their discontent with loud boos ringing out around the stadium, highlighting their frustration with the team’s continued underperformance.
Following this defeat, Manchester United’s focus now shifts to their upcoming Europa League fixture against FC Porto on Thursday evening. However, with their recent form being so poor, many are beginning to question Erik ten Hag’s future at the club. The team’s dismal start to the season, which has seen them collect only seven points from their first six Premier League matches, has intensified discussions about the Dutch manager’s position.
Former footballer and pundit Robbie Savage openly speculated that Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford may be coming to an end. Speaking on BBC Sport, Savage didn’t hold back in his critique, saying, “I think his time might be up. They’ve got to make a big decision this week.” Savage’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among fans and experts alike, who are increasingly concerned about the team’s trajectory under Ten Hag’s leadership.
Adding to this, reports from the *Manchester Evening News* have suggested that Manchester United’s hierarchy has previously considered parting ways with Ten Hag. With the team’s performances failing to improve, these conversations are likely to gain more traction, especially with the critical Europa League match against Porto looming large.
One possible option for the club could be to make a swift managerial change. There has been speculation that Ruud van Nistelrooy, who recently joined Ten Hag’s backroom staff as an assistant coach, could step in as an interim manager if United decides to relieve Ten Hag of his duties. Van Nistelrooy’s potential appointment as caretaker manager would provide a temporary solution while the club seeks a permanent replacement.
Manchester United finds itself in a precarious situation. With the team struggling on the pitch and questions about the manager’s future growing louder, fans are eager for decisive action to reverse the club’s fortunes. Whether United will stick with Ten Hag or make a change remains to be seen, but the pressure is undoubtedly mounting as the club faces a pivotal period in their season.