Just four months ago, Manchester United was on the verge of securing their second piece of silverware under the leadership of Erik ten Hag. After ending their trophy drought and securing a top-four finish, a victory against Manchester City would have capped an impressive first season for Ten Hag. However, reality hit hard as City opened the scoring just 12 seconds into the match, ultimately leading to City’s treble.
At that time, amid off-field uncertainties, Erik Ten Hag’s astute leadership on the pitch was seen as a bright spot at Old Trafford. Reports emerged that the United hierarchy was working on extending his contract, which he signed in 2022, with a salary reflecting his initial success.
Erik ten Hag is facing many difficulties
Fast forward four months, and the situation at Manchester United has taken a different turn. The recent defeat to Galatasaray marked their sixth loss in ten matches across all competitions and a second loss in the Champions League. Their hopes of bridging the gap with the Premier League’s top teams have faded, with a nine-point deficit to City and seven points off the top four. While the club remains committed to Erik Ten Hag, there’s a growing sense of unease among certain sections of the fanbase.
The latest loss was met with boos from the supporters, and there’s a familiar feeling that the club’s stability has eroded. United’s patience is being tested, as admitting that Ten Hag isn’t the right man would mark the fifth attempt at replacing Sir Alex Ferguson in just over a decade. From being a symbol of stability, Manchester United now finds itself in a state of uncertainty.
Let’s take a look at how Erik ten Hag’s four predecessors fared during their tenures at Manchester United:
1. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a club legend, arrived at United with high hopes and a desire for success. He took over from Jose Mourinho and was tasked with improving the atmosphere around the club. Solskjaer’s initial impact was positive, with a strong start and a permanent contract secured after defeating Paris Saint-Germain away from home. His second season saw a third-place finish, but things unraveled in the following season. Despite high expectations, Solskjaer was ultimately sacked after a 4-0 defeat to Watford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign ended after being thumped by Watford
2. Jose Mourinho: Jose Mourinho brought silverware to Old Trafford in his first season, winning both the EFL Cup and the Europa League. However, his second season saw United finish as Premier League runners-up and lose in the FA Cup final. By the third season, things deteriorated rapidly, and he was sacked in December after a string of poor results.
Jose Mourinho was sacked in December 2018
3. Louis van Gaal: Louis van Gaal arrived with a strong reputation, but his tenure got off to a rocky start. Despite finishing fourth in his first season and winning the FA Cup, his second season was marred by dressing room issues, early Champions League elimination, and missing out on a top-four finish. He was eventually let go.
4. David Moyes: Handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes faced an uphill battle in replacing the legendary manager. His tenure lasted only one season, characterized by poor results and growing unrest. Moyes was dismissed when Champions League qualification became mathematically impossible.
In each case, Manchester United faced challenges and instability before and during their managerial changes. Now, as they navigate another period of uncertainty under Erik ten Hag, the club’s hierarchy and supporters will be closely watching how things develop in the coming months.
