“Nearly 25 per cent of the season gone” - Gary Neville explains why Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag might get sacked following West Ham loss
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes manager Erik ten Hag's future at the club could potentially end soon. He pointed out that they have performed poorly for the majority of this season so far and believes the match against Chelsea could be the final straw.
The Red Devils have won just four of their 14 games across competitions this season. They sit 14th in the Premier League table with 11 points, seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. Manchester United lost 2-1 against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday, October 27.
After the game, Gary Neville said on his podcast on Sky Sports (via CaughtOffside):
"Erik ten Hag is asking for trouble. He’s 14th in the league nine games in, and nine games is nearly 25 per cent of the season gone. It will be a big worry for everybody at the club because the performance levels… United should have been up but they lost.
"They are 14th, they’ve spent a fortune. I was quite clear at the end of last season that if they’re in that same position in the league after the first few months there will be a lot of questions being asked.
"They’ve got a game in midweek but it will all come down to next weekend’s game against Chelsea. Anybody that is half decent, that can play, have the quality in parts of the pitch, can beat this United team and they’re in danger.
"I don’t think there can be another defeat next weekend at Old Trafford. It’s getting to that point where there is a real worry, I’m worried. The results, the lack of goals, lack of performances are stacking up week after week."
Manchester United will face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, November 3.
Erik ten Hag reflects on Manchester United's defeat against West Ham
The Red Devils faced West Ham at the London Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday. They dominated the game at the start and created multiple chances but failed to take them and the first half ended goalless. The Hammers then took the lead through Crysencio Summerville in the 74th minute before Casemiro equalised seven minutes later.
West Ham then received a penalty in the 90th minute following a VAR intervention after Matthijs de Ligt was deemed to have fouled Danny Ings. Jarrod Bowen converted the penalty to secure all three points.
After the game, Erik ten Hag said that Manchester United were the better side and should've won. He said (via manutd.com):
“Football is not always the best team winning. Today it’s very obvious and clear. Today we were far better than the opponent and there are two things: we didn’t score and it was a very poor decision from the referee – on-field and definitely also off-field.”
Manchester United have won just one of their last eight games across competitions. They will next host Leicester City in the EFL Cup Round of 16 on October 30.