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Manchester United makes Erik ten Hag decision following embarrassing Tottenham defeat

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Manchester United has opted to stick with Erik ten Hag as manager following Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur but the Dutchman must deliver results in the next two games in what is a potentially defining week.

The Red Devils succumbed to their third defeat of the Premier League season to leave them languishing in 12th-place ahead of next weekend's trip to high-flying Aston Villa, having also picked up just two wins all season.

In fact, Ten Hag has overseen just three wins in nine games across all competitions in 2024-25 but will remain in charge for Man United's final two games before the international break against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday and Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday - both of which are away from home.

The pressure is already on the Red Devils to pick up all three points against the team who finished third in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season when they lock horns on Thursday, having failed to dispatch Dutch side FC Twente in their Europa League league phase opener at Old Trafford last week.

That 1-1 draw with the Eredivisie outfit leaves Man United 20th in the 36-team league, meaning another failure to collect all three points could make grim reading for the Red Devils come the end of matchday two. Coming up against a Porto side who have won six of seven league games won't be easy, either.

A daunting trip to Villa Park then follows, where United has failed to win on two of its last three visits and faces a side already flying under Unai Emery. The Villains currently sit six points ahead of the Red Devils in fifth-place, having won four of their six Premier League games this season.

Erik ten Hag watched his Manchester United side succumb to a 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Sunday
Erik ten Hag watched his Manchester United side succumb to a 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Sunday

Ten Hag has left himself with a major uphill battle in needing to collect wins away to two tricky opponents in what could very well be his final week in charge at Old Trafford should he fail to do just that.

United's new owners INEOS made it publicly known that it was looking for a new manager after taking over the club at the back end of last season, yet opted to trigger the one-year extension in Ten Hag's contract after failing to find a suitable replacement.

The Dutchman was then backed with $276million-worth (£206m/€247m) of transfers during the summer, taking his total spending since joining the club from Ajax in the summer of 2022 to $736m (£550m/€659m).

Yet still, United has won just three of its opening nine fixtures in all competitions and patience is wearing thin at Old Trafford, both in the stands and the upper echelons of the club. Ten Hag can have no more excuses and this next week is absolutely crucial for his long-term future.