Halloween may have ended for many, but for coach Erik ten Hag, the nightmare continues. Two consecutive losses with a score of 0-3 have left his position more precarious than ever.
Another Nightmare Defeat
Manchester United hosted Newcastle at home with lingering shock from their 0-3 loss to Manchester City in the Manchester derby. Coach Ten Hag had hoped for a win against the Magpies to rekindle the Red Devils’ hopes.
Remembering the 2-0 victory over the Magpies in the League Cup final last season marked the start of the Ten Hag era at Old Trafford. However, in just eight months, everything has changed dramatically. Not only have they failed to find hope, but Ten Hag and MU have sunk into deep disappointment.
Newcastle, not in an ideal state, easily dominated at Old Trafford. The away team led 2-0 after just 36 minutes, ending any hopes for the Red Devils with Joe Willock’s goal in the 61st minute.
The home team’s performance was feeble, resembling third-tier players despite being among the highest earners in the Premier League. In just over 60 minutes, the Old Trafford stands were gradually empty as home fans decided to leave early. Meanwhile, 7,300 Newcastle fans danced and sang to celebrate the team’s first victory at the “Theatre of Dreams” since 1972.
Ten Hag’s precarious seat
Newcastle fans continually chanted, “He’ll be sacked in the morning,” as Ten Hag entered the technical area following the third goal. Perhaps it’s a bit premature, but difficult decisions about the Dutch coach’s future might be on the horizon if the embarrassing failures continue.
This was their eighth loss in 15 matches across all competitions this season. Even the victories they have achieved weren’t impressive. Except for the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the League Cup, MU’s other wins were hard-fought and required a lot of luck.
After the loss to Newcastle, MU fans heavily criticized Ten Hag. One Twitter user wrote: “Another 0-3 loss at home. I’m sorry, but that’s enough, Ten Hag.”
Another commented, “Ten Hag is in trouble, but I don’t care. He needs to take responsibility, and it’s probably best if he resigns.” Meanwhile, another argued, “Sacking Ten Hag is not the answer.”
One more wrote, “I see bottom-table teams playing neater and more organized defensively than MU. I’m sorry, but there’s truly no defense you can offer for Ten Hag. He’s the most amateurish coach I’ve ever seen.”
An enraged fan said, “Jose Mourinho and Ole did more with less money. Ten Hag, with all the money spent, has left MU without identity, without a playing style, and any achievements.”
Manchester United currently sits eighth in the Premier League, third in the Champions League Group A, and has just been dethroned in the League Cup. If they suffer another loss against Fulham in the 11th round of the Premier League this weekend, Ten Hag is on the brink of leaving Old Trafford. And perhaps MU’s board is preparing to pay him compensation (estimated at around £15 million).
