The situation Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag feared most has happened sooner than he expected.
Only three games into the Premier League season, the Dutchman already finds himself under immense pressure, with increasing calls for his dismissal as the team’s struggles continue.
A lackluster performance followed by a late win against Fulham, a defeat at Brighton after defensive errors in the final moments, and a humiliating loss to Liverpool, who didn’t even need to push themselves to secure the victory, have all contributed to the mounting criticism.
What made matters worse was Arne Slot’s straightforward explanation of Liverpool’s tactics, which effortlessly dismantled Ten Hag’s team, leaving United fans questioning why their own Dutch manager seems to lack similar tactical clarity, with the team stumbling rather than advancing.
In just three weeks, the landscape has changed so dramatically that bookmakers are now speculating on how long Ten Hag will last.
At the start of the season, sources inside Old Trafford indicated that Ten Hag, after spending £200 million over the summer, would be given until the end of the year to show improvement.
However, two key concerns for head of football operations Sir Jim Ratcliffe were consistency and an effective, enduring playing style.
So far, Ten Hag has failed to deliver on both fronts, patience is running thin, and he could be out of a job within a month.
United’s playstyle continues to lean towards chaos rather than control, with their quick transitions from defense to attack often leaving the midfield exposed when opponents regain possession, catching the team out of position.
It’s a high-risk approach that United have yet to master, and some within the club are beginning to question whether it’s a flawed strategy for their players.
Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp, employed a similar style but executed it with greater precision and finishing ability than United can currently manage.
Insiders say Ten Hag has just four more Premier League games to save his job, with Ratcliffe and his new management team demanding tangible progress rather than promises.
United’s upcoming match against Russell Martin’s newly-promoted Southampton after the international break is now a must-win game.
And if there’s a repeat of the embarrassing 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on September 21, it might prompt an immediate change.
If Ten Hag can navigate these challenges, the subsequent games against Tottenham at home and Aston Villa away will be critical in determining whether Ratcliffe sees him as capable of delivering the necessary improvements.
Some critics believe Ten Hag is already struggling, with United repeating the same mistakes in their play that plagued them last season.
United’s summer transfer strategy seemed like an upgrade from previous seasons, but old issues resurfaced against Liverpool, with Casemiro and Marcus Rashford—both underperformers last season—once again in the spotlight for poor performances.
United’s midfield has long been a weak point, and now the focus is on Manuel Ugarte, a £50 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain, to add some much-needed defensive solidity to a team lacking an effective shield.
While there’s been little clarity in United’s decisions in recent years, one thing is certain: Ratcliffe won’t hesitate to sack Ten Hag next month if the manager’s vision for success continues to falter.
