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Records show Ineos have given Erik ten Hag an opportunity as Man United manager that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was denied
Manchester United’s recent form has been nothing short of disastrous under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have limped off the line this season with three wins in their first eight games of the season – one of which came against lower-league opposition in the shape of Barnsley.
Other than that, the only other two wins came against Fulham and Southampton. Meanwhile, United have suffered 3-0 losses to Tottenham and Liverpool already.
Erik ten Hag was already under pressure after a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last year, but he saved his job by beating Manchester City to lift the FA Cup.
However, United have been predicted to finish eighth again this season after a miserable start to the campaign. There has been no progress made, and that is a real cause for concern.
Erik ten Hag’s record is sack-worthy
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stance on sacking Ten Hag has not changed, with the United co-owner willing to give the Dutchman this week’s games against Porto and Aston Villa to turn things around.
However, Ten Hag should consider himself extremely lucky that Ineos have given him a chance of redemption as his record suggests he should have followed the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho and Ralf Rangnick out the door.
Including the Community Shield, Ten Hag has taken charge of nine games this season and won only three.
| Record as Man United manager | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Erik ten Hag (last nine games) | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| OIe Gunnar Solskjaer (final nine games) | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Ten Hag’s last nine results now mirror the exact form that saw Solskjaer sacked as United boss in November 2021 with his final game in charge the 4-1 defeat to Watford.
But while Solskjaer was denied the chance to turn things around, Ten Hag will get that opportunity.
Solskjaer’s three wins came against Villarreal, Atalanta and Tottenham, but two consecutive losses in November put an end to his stint as manager.
Erik ten Hag has no more excuses
United supporters have grown sick and tired of the manager merry-go-round, but there can be no complaints about Ineos not giving Ten Hag enough time.
The Dutchman is now into his third year as United boss, and while he has added two trophies to the cabinet, there has been little signs of long-term progress.
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The three biggest excuses behind Ten Hag’s lack of progress can no longer be used. He has been given time, he has a near fully-fit squad and he now has a proper footballing structure behind him.
This was the season he simply had to deliver results, and he is currently falling short.
It will all come down to this week’s trips to Porto and Aston Villa, and more of the same will see Ten Hag suffer the same fate as Solskjaer before him.
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