Erik ten Hag's position at Manchester United is under real threat after a disastrous start to the season and the Red Devils may already have a replacement lined up
Erik ten Hag's days at Manchester United could be numbered (Image: (Image: Getty))
Manchester United could have Erik ten Hag's replacement lined up if the struggling boss gets the boot.
After another rough day at the office for Ten Hag's squad, who were thrashed 3-0 at home by arch-rivals Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot, the rumour mill is churning overtime about his job security. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher didn't mince his words after the match when he said: "It's early days, three games into the season. But I'd be surprised if he's still in charge at the end of the season."
Carragher didn't stop there; he slammed United's playing style, taking a pop at the Red Devils' new technical director Jason Wilcox's previous chat about having a clear game plan. He said: "The football, the way they talk about playing, Jason Wilcox made a statement last season about a philosophy of play. There isn't one. You can see it with Slot in the first three games."
He then turned his sights on United's top dogs, saying: "If we're being totally honest, the ownership didn't want to keep him. They won the cup final and it put them in a position where they weren't sure what to do."
The former Liverpool defender added: "They were scurrying around Europe speaking to agents and other managers seeing if they could find someone better than Erik ten Hag... And listen they're probably delaying the inevitable," reports the Express.
If United decide to call time on Ten Hag's underwhelming stint at Old Trafford, after an FA Cup victory over Manchester City saved his job following a shocking eighth place league finish last season, another pundit believes the fallen giants have already got his replacement warming up.
Old Trafford legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was brought in as an assistant coach this summer. The Dutch icon, who scored 95 goals in 150 games for United during the Sir Alex Ferguson era isn't just a familiar face; he's got some serious managerial chops too.
After steering PSV Eindhoven to Dutch Cup glory in 2023, Van Nistelrooy's name is on everyone's lips, with former Arsenal player Perry Groves telling talkSPORT: "He's going to be the next manager, without a shadow of a doubt."
With INEOS at the helm, he believes it's a no-brainer to promote from within as Van Nistelrooy knows the squad and can hit the ground running, dodging the hassle of a drawn-out hunt for Ten Hag's successor.
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
