Manchester United Stands by Erik ten Hag Ahead of Pivotal Week

Despite a crushing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday, Manchester United are expected to stick with manager Erik ten Hag for their upcoming matches against Porto and Aston Villa this week. The loss has heightened the pressure on Ten Hag, whose side has had a poor start to the season, leaving them 12th in the Premier League.

Multiple senior sources within Manchester United have indicated it’s “business as usual” as the club focuses on their Europa League tie against Porto and Premier League clash with Aston Villa. After Sunday’s loss, Ten Hag stated that he was “not thinking” about losing his job and affirmed that he and the club’s leadership are aligned in their vision.

Ten Hag, who signed a contract extension in the summer, still retains the club’s backing, with Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada previously expressing full confidence in the Dutch manager. However, with only three wins in nine matches across all competitions, a difficult week lies ahead.

Joint-Worst Premier League Start

Manchester United’s current situation is alarming:

– They have accumulated just seven points from six Premier League games, equaling the club’s worst-ever start in the competition.
– United’s five league goals this season represent one of their lowest-scoring starts, compounded by a -3 goal difference.
– The Red Devils have lost consecutive Premier League home matches without scoring, a feat not seen since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final days as manager in 2021.
– Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, United have lost more matches by three or more goals than during the legendary manager’s tenure, illustrating their continued defensive struggles.

With poor performances alongside bad results, including an xG (expected goals) of just 4.84 across three home matches, concerns are mounting. Sunday’s match against Spurs, which saw an xG of 4.67 against United, further highlighted the vulnerability of Ten Hag’s side.

A Defining Week Ahead

United face a critical stretch of fixtures before the international break, starting with a Europa League match against Porto on Thursday, followed by a Premier League clash against high-flying Aston Villa on Sunday. A poor showing in either match could intensify calls for change, but Ten Hag remains focused and insists he has the board’s backing.

As United looks for stability after a challenging start, their leadership—under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group—remains cautious, keen to avoid hasty decisions. Ratcliffe himself has emphasized that the club’s problems extend beyond just the manager, while the board aims to carefully assess the situation rather than react impulsively to bad results.

The upcoming week will likely be pivotal for Ten Hag’s future, and with the club’s leadership under scrutiny, it’s a defining moment for both the manager and the team.