Erik ten Hag's Manchester United tenure may be nearing its breaking point after a devastating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. With pressure mounting and performances deteriorating, the loss has many questioning how much longer the Dutchman can remain in charge.
Compounding the misery, United were forced to play with ten men for much of the match after Bruno Fernandes saw red in the 42nd minute for a reckless tackle on James Maddison.
A Nightmare at Old Trafford
The game got off to a nightmare start for United. Spurs came out flying, with Micky van de Ven setting the tone early on with a blistering run from his half. The defender tore through United’s midfield before setting up Brennan Johnson for an easy tap-in in the third minute, giving Spurs a quick 1-0 lead.
Things went from bad to worse just before half-time when Bruno Fernandes was shown a straight red card for a high and reckless tackle on Maddison. United’s captain left the field in the 42nd minute with his team already struggling, and the task of playing with ten men for the entire second half proved insurmountable.
United in Disarray
Even before Fernandes' dismissal, United had looked shaky, but the sending-off shifted the momentum entirely in Tottenham’s favour. Spurs dominated possession and created multiple chances, and despite only leading 1-0 at the break, it was clear United were hanging on by a thread.
The second half saw Tottenham take full control of the game, while James Maddison, influential throughout, pulling the strings in midfield. Dejan Kulusevski struck two minutes into the second half, and Dominik Solanke wrapped up the 3-0 win from close range late on.
Ten Hag on the Brink
This performance was perhaps the worst of Ten Hag’s tenure, marked by a lack of fight, defensive chaos, and tactical confusion. While the sending-off certainly didn’t help matters, United were already second-best and looked bereft of ideas. The defeat leaves United floundering, and Ten Hag facing intense scrutiny over his ability to guide the club forward.
After winning the League Cup last season and securing a top-four finish, there were hopes that Ten Hag was the man to restore United’s fortunes. However, a string of disappointing results this season has cast serious doubts. Defensively fragile and lacking cohesion in attack, United seem to be regressing rather than progressing under his leadership.
Spurs Soar as United Sinks
In contrast, Spurs were everything United were not—disciplined, aggressive, and confident. Under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham have found their rhythm after a stuttering start to the season. With four straight wins in all competitions since their North London derby loss to Arsenal, Spurs are rapidly building momentum.
Is Ten Hag's Time Running Out?
After such a humiliating defeat, the big question surrounding Old Trafford is: how much time does Erik ten Hag have left? With United seemingly spiralling into crisis mode, patience from both the fans and the board is wearing thin.
Ten Hag has been in precarious positions before, most notably in the summer when questions about his future arose. But each time, he managed to scrape through. This time, however, the pressure is immense, and without a significant turnaround in performances, his job may be on the line.
What’s Next for Man United?
United’s upcoming fixtures don’t offer much respite. With a packed schedule and games against tough opposition looming, Ten Hag will need to rally his squad quickly. However, if performances don’t improve soon, the club may be forced to look elsewhere for leadership.
For now, the Red Devils remain in disarray, and with a squad brimming with talent yet failing to deliver, it’s hard to see how Ten Hag can turn things around. The question is no longer if change is needed at Old Trafford—it’s when.
Key Moments:
3’ – Brennan Johnson Goal: Micky van de Ven sets up Brennan Johnson to give Spurs a 1-0 lead with an easy finish.
42’ – Fernandes Red Card: Bruno Fernandes is sent off for a dangerous tackle on James Maddison, leaving United with ten men.
47’ – Dejan Kulusevski Doubles the Lead: Kulusevski slots home Tottenham's second, putting Spurs in control.
77’ – Dominik Solanke: Dominik Solanke adds the third for Spurs, sealing the game with a cool finish.
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