- Manchester United were hammered at home by Tottenham on Sunday
- Erik ten Hag is the favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was at the club’s Carrington training ground bright and early on Monday morning as he aimed to put the weekend’s 3-0 thrashing by Tottenham behind him.
The Dutchman is the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his position, after seeing his United side take just seven points from their opening six games.
Ten Hag wore a glum expression on his face as was pictured driving into Carrington while it was still dark outside.
United was asked about his future following Sunday’s defeat at Old Trafford. But he replied: ‘No, I am not thinking about this.
‘We all made together this decision to stay together, as an ownership, a leadership group in the summer, also we made the decision from a clear review what we have to improve and how we want to construct a squad.
‘But we knew it will take some time, how the window went, some players late in like Ugarte. Also, we have to make some improvement in organisation, some injuries, we need some time.
‘We are all on one page or in one boat together, the ownership, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that concern.’
Ten Hag came close to losing his job at the end of last season after he oversaw United’s lowest finish in Premier League history (eighth) – although United then won the FA Cup.
United’s owners, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, looked for possible replacements before ultimately deciding in July to stick with Ten Hag, whose contract was extended until June 2026.
Ten Hag was also backed in the transfer market this summer, with United bringing in Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.
Four of those players featured against Spurs, with only Yoro missing due to a foot injury sustained in pre-season.
But United were vastly inferior to Tottenham, who should have been more than 1-0 in front by the time Bruno Fernandes was shown a questionable red card for a foul on James Maddison in the 42nd minute.
Having been dominant against United’s 11 men, Spurs continued to boss the contest against 10 as Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke joined Brennan Johnson on the scoresheet at Old Trafford.
More to follow.
