Manchester United were described as disgusting, shameful, and sad following their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Just a few weeks ago, the attention was on Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou after back-to-back losses, but now Erik ten Hag is under increasing and maybe insurmountable pressure.
Despite only scoring once, Tottenham ripped United apart in the first 45 minutes, and the game appeared to be gone when the unpredictable Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a late tackle on England’s James Maddison.
Spurs scored twice more after the interval, handing Manchester United a humiliating loss and putting further pressure on Ten Hag.
Ten Hag, now in his third season at Old Trafford, is still battling to demonstrate that he possesses the necessary qualities to restore Manchester United’s golden days.
In the coming days, he will undoubtedly point out publicly and privately that he has hoisted two major trophies since accepting the post in the summer of 2022, but time is running out for Ten Hag to escape being fired.
The Spurs defeat has dropped United to 12th place in the Premier League, closer to the relegation zone than the top four, and in an all-too familiar position in the standings given their struggles last season, when they finished last.
A lack of improvement during the summer break was painfully evident during their opening-night match against Fulham, with only a late and uncommon goal from summer acquisition Joshua Zirkzee saving Ten Hag from early criticism.
Manchester United suffered humiliating defeats against Brighton and Liverpool, and have just truly clicked this season against newly promoted Southampton and League One side Barnsley.
United’s flaws were revealed in back-to-back draws with struggling Crystal Palace and Dutch club Twente, but Sunday’s humiliating defeat to Tottenham seemed like a watershed moment.
A panel of commentators blasting down Manchester United on a Sunday evening is not unusual, but the harsh intensity of the criticism does not auger well for Ten Hag.
