Erik ten Hag, the current manager of Manchester United, finds himself in a situation reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson’s early years at the club, as both faced turbulent times at Old Trafford.
Back in 1989, Manchester United experienced a dismal start to the season, resulting in the team occupying the 14th spot in the table after a 5-1 defeat to Manchester City. By December of the same season, after a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, disgruntled fans displayed a banner reading ‘Three Years of Excuses And It’s Still Crap – Tara Fergie‘.
Ferguson faced the axe at Old Trafford before the famous FA Cup win at Forest
Fast forward 34 years, and Erik ten Hag faces a similar predicament, with Manchester United enduring their worst Premier League start since that era. With just nine points from seven games, the team currently sits in 10th place in the Premier League.
Ironically, a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford has left Ten Hag in a challenging position, mirroring a past scenario where Sir Alex Ferguson faced similar turmoil.
During his tenure at Manchester United, Erik ten Hag has acknowledged the wisdom of having Sir Alex Ferguson available for advice, considering the latter’s 26-and-a-half-year successful stint as the club’s manager.
In light of recent struggles, Ten Hag may seek insights from Ferguson on how to navigate through a period of turmoil, much like the one experienced by the club over three decades ago.
Ten hag is facing extreme difficulties at Man Utd
In 1989, Manchester United possessed a talented squad featuring notable names such as Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince, Brian McClair, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, and Lee Sharpe, but the team was clearly underperforming.
United concluded the year in 15th place, but the turn of the decade marked a turning point for the club. On January 7, 1990, United secured a pivotal 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, with a goal from Mark Robins, despite immense pressure on Ferguson’s job security.
This victory set the stage for United to win the FA Cup, defeating Crystal Palace in the final, and initiating a remarkable era of success under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Notably, Ferguson displayed his decisive character during that time by dropping goalkeeper Jim Leighton in favor of Les Sealey for the FA Cup replay, illustrating the ruthlessness that became a hallmark of his managerial career.
While Erik ten Hag may not have the same depth of squad or the luxury of dropping several players due to injuries, he has demonstrated his own determination by dealing with Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and Jadon Sancho’s exile, both of which were seen as challenges to his authority.
As Manchester United faces a challenging season, Ten Hag seeks his own “Mark Robins” moment, hoping to reignite the team’s fortunes and set them back on a successful trajectory. The upcoming Champions League clash against Galatasaray presents a crucial opportunity for such a turnaround.
