The Lows of Ten Hag’s Manchester United Tenure
1. Brighton & Brentford Setbacks (August 2022)
Erik ten Hag’s introduction to English football was nothing short of a baptism of fire. His very first Premier League game in charge ended in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford to Brighton. However, the true scale of the rebuilding job that lay ahead became evident a week later when Brentford thrashed United 4-0 in London, scoring all four goals in the opening 35 minutes. The result left Manchester United at the bottom of the league, and the size of Ten Hag’s task became glaringly apparent.
2. Man City 6-3 Man United (October 2022)
Despite bouncing back from their early-season setbacks with four consecutive league wins, Manchester United were brought crashing back down to reality when they faced their bitter rivals, Manchester City. The 6-3 hammering at the Etihad Stadium highlighted the gulf between the two clubs at that time. It was a sobering reminder that United were far from competing for the Premier League title, with City demonstrating their superiority by scoring six goals against their rivals for only the second time in Premier League history.
3. Liverpool 7-0 Man United (March 2023)
Perhaps the most humiliating result of Ten Hag’s reign came in March 2023 when Manchester United were destroyed 7-0 by Liverpool at Anfield. The scoreline represented United’s heaviest-ever defeat to their northwest rivals and one of the most embarrassing moments in the club’s modern history. Despite being ten points clear of Liverpool going into the match and having beaten them earlier in the season, United’s capitulation at Anfield left Ten Hag facing fierce criticism.
4. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man United (May 2024)
As Manchester United’s form deteriorated toward the end of the 2023/24 season, a crushing 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace left Ten Hag’s position in serious doubt. The performance at Selhurst Park was chaotic, with United looking disjointed and lacking the energy of their opponents. It all but confirmed that United would miss out on European football, a significant blow to the club’s ambitions.
5. Man United 0-3 Tottenham (September 2024)
The start of the 2024/25 season was a nightmare for Manchester United, and a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford to Tottenham in September 2024 was a low point. Coming off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool just a few weeks earlier, this match saw United torn apart by Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs. Bruno Fernandes was sent off before halftime, and the match ended with United looking completely outclassed, which only intensified the pressure on Ten Hag.
The Highs of Ten Hag’s Manchester United Reign
1. Carabao Cup Victory (February 2023)
One of Ten Hag’s most notable achievements came just eight months into his tenure when Manchester United lifted the Carabao Cup in February 2023. The 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at Wembley secured Ten Hag his first major domestic trophy with the club, ending a six-year wait for silverware. Goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford sealed the win, and at that moment, it appeared that Ten Hag was successfully rebuilding the team.
2. Europa League Triumph Over Barcelona (February 2023)
Manchester United produced one of their best performances in Europe under Ten Hag’s management when they knocked out Barcelona from the Europa League in February 2023. Barcelona, who went on to win the La Liga title that season, were favorites to progress, but United fought back to win 2-1 at Old Trafford, securing a 4-3 aggregate victory. The win rekindled memories of United’s famous European nights and gave fans hope that the club could challenge for trophies again.
3. Securing Champions League Qualification (May 2023)
By the end of the 2022/23 season, Ten Hag had achieved one of his key objectives: securing Champions League football for Manchester United. A dominant 4-1 victory over Chelsea in the final home game of the season confirmed United’s return to Europe’s elite competition after a year away. The result not only ensured a top-four finish but also demonstrated that Ten Hag had brought stability and improvement to the club in his first season.
4. FA Cup Final Win Over Manchester City (May 2024)
Ten Hag’s finest tactical masterclass came in the FA Cup final in May 2024, where Manchester United pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over their arch-rivals Manchester City. City had already secured the Premier League title and were favorites to complete a domestic double, but United’s disciplined performance, capped by goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, denied Pep Guardiola’s men. The victory gave Ten Hag his second major domestic trophy and remains one of the standout moments of his tenure.
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What Went Wrong for Erik ten Hag?
Despite some significant achievements, Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United ultimately ended in disappointment. Several factors contributed to his downfall:
- Inconsistent Performances: One of the major issues during Ten Hag’s reign was the team’s inconsistency. Manchester United often followed up big wins with shocking defeats, and their form fluctuated wildly throughout his tenure.
- Poor Transfer Market Decisions: While some of Ten Hag’s signings, such as Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, proved successful, others failed to live up to expectations. The club’s struggles in the transfer market led to criticism, particularly after spending heavily without seeing the desired results.
- Injuries to Key Players: United were hit by injuries to key players at crucial moments. Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford all missed significant portions of the season, which severely impacted the team’s performance.
- Tactical Limitations: While Ten Hag’s philosophy brought success in certain games, there were questions over his tactical flexibility. His reliance on high pressing and a structured defensive approach sometimes left the team exposed against more dynamic opposition.
A Reign of Mixed Fortunes
Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United was a period of both hope and frustration. His ability to secure domestic silverware and Champions League qualification were high points, but the humiliating defeats to rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City cast a shadow over his reign. Ultimately, his inability to build consistent success led to his sacking after a poor start to the 2024/25 season. As Manchester United search for a new manager, they will look to build on the foundations laid by Ten Hag while addressing the shortcomings that defined his reign.
