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Manchester United 'not considering Erik ten Hag sacking'

Man United 'not considering Erik ten Hag sacking'
© Reuters
Manchester United reportedly have no immediate plans to sack Erik ten Hag despite suffering their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Manchester United reportedly have no immediate plans to sack Erik ten Hag amid their dismal start to the 2023-24 campaign.

Under the Dutchman's wing, the Red Devils have suffered their worst start to a top-flight season since the 1989-90 season, three years before the Premier League's inception.

A 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend condemned Ten Hag's side to their fourth defeat from seven Premier League games, leaving them 10th in the early-season standings on nine points.

The 20-time English champions also began their Champions League campaign with a 4-3 defeat away to Bayern Munich, but they did start the defence of their EFL Cup crown by seeing off Palace 3-0 last week.

As well as their on-field shortcomings, Ten Hag has also become embroiled in a tense stand-off with Jadon Sancho, who has been exiled from the group for nearly a month after publicly hitting out at his manager.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured on September 16, 2023© Reuters

Sancho has allegedly been banished from the training ground facilities while he practices away from the first team, and he will not be allowed back into the ranks until he issues a public and private apology to his manager.

Ten Hag's stance over Sancho has divided opinion, and the Red Devils' lacklustre early-season showings have also led to speculation of an imminent dismissal for the former Ajax head coach.

However, Football Insider claims that senior figures at Old Trafford have no immediate plans to give Ten Hag the boot, largely thanks to his impressive first campaign in the hotseat.

After leaving his homeland, Ten Hag ended Man United's six-year wait for a major trophy with EFL Cup glory, while also achieving a third-placed finish in the top flight behind Arsenal and Manchester City.

In addition, the Red Devils finished as runners-up to Man City in the FA Cup final, and as such there is "no panic" upstairs at Old Trafford despite their team's indifferent record so far.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire and teammates look dejected after the match on September 30, 2023© Reuters

Ten Hag remains under contract until the end of the 2024-25 season, but the pressure will weigh heavier on the 53-year-old's should he fail to inspire an imminent turnaround in fortunes.

Ten Hag has now taken charge of 71 Man United matches since arriving to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, winning 46 of them while also overseeing eight draws and 17 losses.

Following the Eagles' win over the Red Devils on Saturday, where Joachim Andersen's goal proved decisive, Ten Hag admitted that his side's performances this term had not been good enough and implored his players to make Old Trafford a "fortress".

However, the 53-year-old has not been helped by an ongoing injury crisis, and he recently confirmed that key defender Lisandro Martinez would need to undergo a second operation on a foot issue.

Man United are back in Champions League action at home to Galatasaray on Tuesday night before meeting Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday ahead of the international break.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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