Amidst a rising backlash within the Manchester United team, Erik ten Hag has been given a stark warning, with his job reportedly on the line in the next three matches.
Following the recent 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, discontent among several players regarding Ten Hag’s managerial approach has surfaced. The Red Devils face critical fixtures, beginning with a showdown against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea at Old Trafford this Wednesday, followed by hosting an in-form Bournemouth side on Saturday.
Their upcoming must-win Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, although already qualified, could determine United’s fate in the knockout stage. Should the team endure three consecutive losses, football pundit Paul Merson speculates that Ten Hag might not remain in charge when United confront arch-rivals Liverpool on December 17.
Merson stated, “If they suffer defeats against Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Bayern, I can’t see Ten Hag holding onto his job,” in his Sportskeeda predictions. He added an optimistic note regarding their potential victory against Bournemouth and their chances against Bayern Munich, a team already through to the Round of 16.
Expressing concern over United’s defensive struggles, especially in light of conceding goals against Galatasaray and a heavy defeat to Newcastle, Merson described the latter as one of the most one-sided encounters he’s witnessed. He criticized the team’s performance and perceived lack of effort, deeming the display against Newcastle as “embarrassing.”
Despite mounting pressure, Ten Hag remains confident in the team’s ability to turn things around, emphasizing the need to rectify their recent setbacks. Mourinho, speaking after the loss to Newcastle, expressed belief in the squad’s resilience, noting their prior successful response after a defeat against Manchester City.
