NEW DELHI: Manchester United have officially sacked Erik ten Hag after a dismal start to the season, leaving the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table.
The announcement comes after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham, marking United’s fourth league loss in nine games and extending a miserable run with just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions.
“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” the club confirmed in a statement. “We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy will serve as interim manager while the search for a permanent replacement begins.
Social media exploded in response to the news, with fans, pundits, and critics weighing in on Ten Hag’s tenure. Piers Morgan took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts, writing, “Every single word Cristiano Ronaldo told me in our interview was right. Ten Hag was over-promoted, delusional, disrespectful, and couldn’t manage world-class talent or a club of United’s stature.”
The criticism didn’t stop there. A Liverpool fan, poking fun at Ten Hag’s tenure, posted a screenshot of United’s 7-0 defeat to Liverpool last season with the caption: “Thank you for the memories, Erik ten Hag, you will be missed.”
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand expressed his shock over Ten Hag’s sacking.
Fans expressed mixed emotions, with some relieved by the change and others criticizing the board for lack of long-term planning
The Dutchman had come under intense scrutiny recently after Jim Ratcliffe, one of United’s co-owners, kept him on following last season’s FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
However, Ten Hag’s dismissal comes amid United’s worst start to a league season since 1989/90.
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As Ruud van Nistelrooy steps in temporarily, the search for United’s next manager begins—underlining the growing uncertainty at Old Trafford.