Erik ten Hag 'has a few weeks' to save Manchester United job after Liverpool thrashing
Manchester United have suffered back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool and manager Erik ten Hag has warned he could be sacked if their form does not improve
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been warned he is facing the sack after his side's poor start to the season.
After recording their worst ever Premier League finish last season, Ten Hag was eventually backed by the new regime and handed a one-year contract extension. The Dutchman's coaching staff has had a reshuffle, while United have spent big on five major new signings.
However, Ten Hag is already feeling the pressure after back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Liverpool and former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes he could be sacked if United fail to "hit the ground running" after the international break.
"It was well known that they were looking for another manager and couldn't find one, so Erik ten Hag stayed," Sutton told casinoapps.com. "The question I think Manchester United fans will be asking after the first three games is: 'Has there been any noticeable change or improvement? Do they look like they're going to make progress under Ten Hag?'
"The truthful answer to both would be no. He's won a couple of cups since he's been at Manchester United but, overall, I think last season the club went backwards. Most people recognise that – the FA Cup win saved his job.
"There's no doubt that Erik ten Hag would have been aware of the speculation and the vultures circling if Man United got off to a poor start this season, which is why it was so important for his team to get off to a good start to build that backing and faith within the United fanbase.
"United narrowly defeated Fulham in the first game with a late winner, but that was a game that could have gone against them because Fulham had good opportunities. They got the victory over the line and breathed a huge sigh of relief, but they then followed that up with a defeat at Brighton.
"After the incident with Joshua Zirkzee, Erik ten Hag would be forgiven for thinking that that things are contriving to go against his team, but there was no excuse for allowing [Joao] Pedro to have acres of space inside the box and to head in the winner in the last minute.
"Against Liverpool, at home, because of the great rivalry and the fact that Manchester United somehow managed to get a couple of results against Liverpool last season, you’re hoping for a response.
"I actually think the manner of the defeat is more damaging than the result itself. Liverpool have great quality, but the way that Manchester United capitulated has to be the biggest red flag for Erik ten Hag and now he's got to ponder that over the international break.
"What we do know though is the next couple of games are absolutely crucial for him and when they come back after the international break, they have to hit the ground running."
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