Ruben Amorim is set to become Manchester United’s next manager, with Sporting Lisbon confirming that the Premier League club are prepared to pay a €10m (£8.3m) release clause for his services.
Talks between United and Sporting accelerated on Tuesday and the Portuguese coach could now be appointed in time to take charge of Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
Amorim wants the job and has agreed to be the club’s next manager after the Old Trafford hierarchy put the 39-year-old at the top of their list to replace Erik ten Hag.
“Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying his €10m release clause,” a statement from Sporting said.
Amorim is expected to take charge of Sporting for the final time tonight, while Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee United’s Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City on Wednesday.
Follow all the reaction to Ten Hag’s sacking and updates on United’s new manager search in our live blog below
Manchester United new manager: Latest news and updates
- Manchester United now in advanced talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager
- Sporting Lisbon confirm Man Utd are prepared to pay €10m release clause
- Ruben Amorim provides update to Man Utd links
- Amorim says ‘nothing has been decided’ amid Man Utd interest
- Who is Ruben Amorim? Why Sporting manager is wanted by Manchester United
- Erik ten Hag sacked by Manchester United after club’s worst start to PL season
- Man City not concerned by potential target Amorim talking to United
Latest: Man Utd ‘interested in hiring’ Ruben Amorim and paying release clause
16:15
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying the Sporting Lisbon manager’s release clause, the Portuguese club have confirmed.
After sacking Erik ten Hag on Monday, the Red Devils have moved quickly to identify the Portuguese as the next manager at Old Trafford.
And in an official statement, Sporting have notified the Portuguese financial regulator, with the club listed on the stock market, of United’s position as negotiations continue.
The Portuguese club said: “Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Rúben Amorim and paying his €10 million release clause.”
Amorim could now be in place by the time United face Chelsea in Sunday’s Premier League match.
Ruben Amorim says ‘nothing has been decided’ amid interest from Manchester United
23:24
Mike Jones
Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim has addressed the reports linking him with the vacant managerial role at Manchester United and says ‘nothing has been decided’.
He spoke to the media following his team’s 3-1 victory over Nacional in the Portuguese league cup on Tuesday evening but refused to confirm whether he will be the man to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
“Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.” said the 39-year-old when asked if he had overseen a Sporting match for the final time.
Neville reacts to Erik ten Hag sacking
23:15
Mike Jones
After Erik ten Hag’s sacking on Monday, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “The big shock for me is how bad they’ve been with the new signings that have come in.
“I felt as though they would have enough to be able to get a decent level of performance together after a smoother transfer window, and that Erik ten Hag would get a level of stability.
“The fact that they are 14th is unacceptable. You can’t be in 14th after nine or 10 games with the level of spend that’s occurred without being under significant pressure – and that’s what’s happened.
“I was hoping it would end differently. I think Manchester United fans were hoping that the manager would continue to keep his job and the faith shown in him in the summer would pay off. But it’s not been the case.”
Ruben Amorim provides update to Manchester United links
22:38
Mike Jones
Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim is being heavily linked with a mid-season move to Manchester United after the Red Devils sacked former boss Erik ten Hag on Monday.
Sporting defeated Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday evening and Amorim issued a brief statement on the United situation after the game.
He said: “Nothing is decided yet… I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”
Negotiations between the two clubs continue over a compensation package should Amorim depart.
Lineker says Ten Hag’s sacking had ‘degree of eventuality’
22:31
Mike Jones
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe kept faith with Erik ten Hag following United’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City in May, but Gary Lineker believes there was a “degree of eventuality” regarding the Dutchman’s departure.
Lineker said: “It’s been an ongoing saga, which started in the summer just before the FA Cup (final) when we got wind of the fact United were sounding out other coaches.
“They seemed to go for Thomas Tuchel but he didn’t take the job, then they subsequently went back to Ten Hag. I suppose there was a degree of eventuality about this.”
Lineker read out a list of the new players signed during Ten Hag’s tenure, adding: “It’s not like he’s not been backed. That’s a hell of a lot of money and it hasn’t worked at all.
“His argument will be ‘I’ve won trophies’ and he has, he’s won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, but I think you’ve got to judge managers on their league position.”
Erik ten Hag was a dead man walking at Man Utd – Alan Shearer
21:45
Mike Jones
Alan Shearer said Erik ten Hag had been a “dead man walking” after it emerged Manchester United sounded out other managers in the summer.
Ten Hag was sacked as United boss on Monday following a disappointing start to the season, with United confirming Ruud van Nistelrooy will take interim charge.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, hosted by fellow former England striker Gary Lineker, Shearer believes Ten Hag’s sacking was inevitable in the end.
He said: “We were just waiting for it to happen. Even the way he was talking that ‘we’re all on the same page’. Well, they weren’t really on the same page because everyone knew they were talking to managers in the summer.
“If they’re on the same page why on earth are they speaking to managers in the summer? As soon as that came out we all said he was a dead man walking, unfortunately.
“For them then to give him a new contract after that was bizarre really, and to back him with £200m, and in nearly four months they’ve sacked him. Bizarre.”
Key tasks for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
21:00
Jamie Braidwood
Re-engage fans
Old Trafford has been beset with an air of toxicity since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013. Although Jose Mourinho had brief success, trouble never seemed far away. Only heroic feats as a player and an amazing spell as interim saved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from fierce criticism. The new manager has to turn around the atmosphere at the club and have everyone pulling in the same direction.
Key tasks for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
20:05
Jamie Braidwood
Goals
Ten Hag will have cleared out his office on Monday thinking about what could have been had his players scored some of their first-half chances at West Ham on Sunday. That has been United’s biggest Achilles heel so far as they have failed to make their dominance count in games. Only Southampton and Crystal Palace have scored fewer than them in the Premier League so far, so the new manager must find a way for his players to be more clinical.
Key tasks for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
19:15
Jamie Braidwood
Provide a clear identity
A big criticism during the Ten Hag era was that there was no identity to his United side and it was a mystery as to how they would set up from one game to the next. The new manager must change that and provide a team with an obvious personality and defined character – preferably one that attacks and plays on the front foot.
Key tasks for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
18:25
Jamie Braidwood
Hit the ground running
It is the most obvious place to start, but Amorim will be expected to turn results around quickly. Ten Hag was ultimately fired because he was simply not winning enough games and the new man must hit the ground running. He will inherit a side 14th in the Premier League after four defeats from their opening nine games and struggling in the Europa League.
How to fix Man Utd: Miguel Delaney answers your questions
17:53
Miguel Delaney
Ruben Amorim is set to become the next manager, but what went wrong with Ten Hag, and where does the club go from here?
What can we expect from Amorim, and how quickly can he realistically turn things around for the struggling giant?
And with over £180 million already spent in the summer transfer window, should we expect further spending in January under new management?
If you have questions about Ten Hag’s sacking, Amorim’s appointment or the future of Manchester United, submit them here for The Independent’s chief football writer Miguel Delaney.
Who is Ruben Amorim? Why Sporting manager is wanted by Manchester United
17:30
Jamie Braidwood
Ruben Amorim is set become the next manager of Manchester United, with the 39-year-old set to finally take the next step in his coaching career after being linked with some of the biggest jobs in Europe as a result of his impressive work at Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese is in line to replace Erik ten Hag with United signalling their intent to pay Sporting over his release fee. United’s football operations department placed Amorim at the top of their list and have convinced the 39-year-old to leave Sporting mid-season.
If United are successful, they will appoint a manager who has been one of the most in-demand coaches in Europe over the last year.
Manchester United predicted XI for Ruud van Nistelrooy debut
16:50
Jamie Braidwood
Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of Manchester United’s Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City tomorrow in their first match since the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
The former United striker has been placed in interim charge while a permanent head coach is appointed and talks with Ruben Amorim continue.
Ten Hag was sacked after United made their worst ever start to a Premier League season and with the club 14th in the table, having won just once in eight games.
United, though, will look to return to winning ways in the Carabao Cup and reach the quarter-finals when they host Leicester at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s Sporting dominate possession in Primeira Liga
16:30
Jamie Braidwood
On Rene Meulensteen’s belief that Manchester United have lost the ability to dominate possession, Ruben Amorim’s Sporting top the Primeira Liga in terms of possession with 65.4 percent.
That time on the ball is hardly sterile, either, with Sporting averaging 24.9 shots per game, according to WhoScored.com.
The next highest team is Benfica on 18.3 shots per game, with Porto on 15.6 shots per game.
Man Utd ‘trigger release clause’ for Ruben Amorim
16:30
Jack Rathborn
After Sporting’s statement, Ruben Amorim appears a step closer to becoming the next Manchester United manager with the Times reporting that his released clause has now in fact been triggered.
The fee is €10m (£8.3m), with negotiations advancing and the prospect of Amorim in the dugout for Sunday’s match at Old Trafford with Chelsea.
Tonight the Portuguese coach is in charge of Sporting as they face Nacional in the League Cup, which kicks off 20:15 GMT.
Where does Ruben Amorim fee rank in Manchester United’s transfer business?
16:04
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United transfers 24/25
1) Leny Yoro - €62m
2) Manuel Ugarte - €50m
3) Matthijs de Ligt - €45m
4) Joshua Zirkzee - €42.5m
5) Noussair Mazraoui - €15m
6) Ruben Amorim - €10m
Ruben Amorim set to take charge of Sporting for final time
15:52
Jamie Braidwood
Sporting Lisbon host Nacional in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese league cup tonight, in what is expected to be Ruben Amorim’s final game as manager.
It’s set to be an emotional farewell, with Amorim leading Sporting to two league titles during his four years in charge of the Lisbon club.
He broke the club’s 19-year title drought by getting the better of rivals Benfica and Porto.
STATEMENT: Manchester United prepared to pay €10m release clause
15:39
Jamie Braidwood
The statement from Sporting Lisbon is as follows:
“Manchester United FC expressed interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, and the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referred to the terms and conditions provided for in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically for the respective termination clause and for the amount of Euro 10,000,000.00.
“Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying his €10 million release clause.”
BREAKING: Manchester United prepared to pay €10m release clause
15:32
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying the Sporting Lisbon manager’s release clause, the Portuguese club have confirmed.
In an official statement, Sporting have notified the Portuguese financial regulator, with the club listed on the stock market, of United’s position as negotiations continue.
He could take charge against Chelsea on Sunday.
Ex-Manchester United coach highlights what was missing under Erik ten Hag
15:30
Jack Rathborn
Former Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen believes the club lost its ability to dominate possession in recent years and in particular under Erik ten Hag.
“He [Ten Hag] said, 'he wanted to make United the quickest reaction team', in other words, regain and straight away, bang, forward pass,” Meulensteen told The Overlap.
“There were plenty of moments in the game, when that forward pass is done, you need to keep the ball. What United have lost is that dominance in possession.
“We were big on dominance in possession, but the key is to turn that into a purposeful attack, it depends on the scoreline, but possession is important to drag people out of position. If it's on, of course, you do it. I think they try it, lose it, so many players out of position and then they're out.”
Manchester United’s fixtures as Ruben Amorim talks continue
15:10
Jamie Braidwood
Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of Manchester United’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Leicester City tomorrow, with the club then hoping that Ruben Amorim could be installed to oversee the Premeir League clash at home to Chelsea on Sunday.
There is then a further week before the November international break. But with home games against PAOK and Leicester City, it’s as kind a start as you could realistically ask for...
30 October: vs Leicester (H) - Carabao Cup
3 November: vs Chelsea (H) - Premier League
7 November: vs PAOK (H) - Europa League
10 November: vs Leicester (H) - Premier League
24 November: vs Ipswich (A) - Premier League
28 November: vs Bodo/Glimt (H) - Europa League
1 December: vs Everton (H) - Premier League
4 December: vs Arsenal (A) - Premier League
States of Play: Miguel Delaney answers your questions
15:01
Jack Rathborn
Ask Independent Sport chief football writer Miguel Delaney about his new book States of Play and Manchester United’s move for Ruben Amorim.
Submit your questions below and Miguel will answer them at 12pm Thursday.
Erik ten Hag believed another trophy would have made Man Utd season a success
14:45
Jamie Braidwood
Erik ten Hag believed a third trophy in as many seasons would have made Manchester United’s current campaign a success.
The Dutchman was sacked by the club on Monday following a poor start to the season having registered only one win in their last eight games across all competitions.
Ten Hag’s final game in charge came on Sunday, where United were beaten 2-1 by West Ham in the Premier League.
He leaves Old Trafford having won two trophies with the club, the League Cup in his debut season followed by the FA Cup in May.
Ineos will have regrets over Erik ten Hag, claims Rio Ferdinand
14:26
Jack Rathborn
Erik ten Hag's sacking by Manchester United has been the biggest decision for club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe since he arrived in February but the fact that the club took so long to pull the trigger could go down as a major misstep in the Ineos era.
"I look at Ineos ... did they back themselves into a corner with the way they handled stuff in the summer?" former United defender Rio Ferdinand said.
"Retrospectively, I think they'll look back and go 'you know we could have handled it differently, handled it better.'"
Talks continue between clubs over Ruben Amorim’s release clause
14:01
Jamie Braidwood
While Manchester United are optimistic, there are potentially some issues still to be resolved over Ruben Amorim’s release clause.
Sources close to the Portuguese side insist that United have to pay €20m to get the deal done - but there is a belief an agreement could be struck for €10m.
Ruben Amorim ‘torn’ on leaving Sporting Lisbon
13:46
Miguel Delaney
Ruben Amorim is said to be genuinely torn on leaving Sporting Lisbon so early into the campaign, and doesn’t want to be seen as someone who constantly departs jobs mid-season.
That already happened on leaving Braga to join Sporting in the first place, but the 39-year-old is nevertheless aware of the opportunity managing Manchester United represents.
Under Amorim, Sporting have made a 100 per cent start to the defence of their league title and sit three points above Porto in the table.
They’re also unbeaten in the Champions League with two wins and a draw from their first three matches of the league phase - sitting in a good position to qualify for the knockouts.
Manchester United want Ruben Amorim appointed as soon as possible
13:36
Miguel Delaney
Ruben Amorim’s representatives floated the idea of agreeing a deal where he joins Manchester United at the end of the season - but the club’s new football leadership have been adamant they want Amorim to start as soon as possible.
Sporting, meanwhile, have already started considering alternatives, which speaks to the current state of discussions.
Latest: Man Utd’s talks with Ruben Amorim hinge on two potential issues
13:24
Miguel Delaney
Manchester United’s talks with Ruben Amorim have advanced and the club are hoping to have the Portuguese in place in time for Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
Amorim wants to be Manchester United’s next manager and negotiations are ongoing over his coaching staff, the timing of his appointment, as well as his release fee with Sporting Lisbon.
Amorim is set to take charge of Sporting against Nacional in the Portuguese league cup on Tuesday night, in what is being viewed as potentially his last game for the club.
United first contacted the 39-year-old’s camp at the start of October - before the last international break - where they were initially expected to sack Erik ten Hag in a London meeting of the club’s hierarchy. Amorim was immediately open to the idea of managing United.
But club representatives came away believing there were two potential issues. One was that the coach’s preference was to leave Sporting at the end of the season and the other was the size of the clause, which could bring a fee of up to €20m.
Arne Slot backs Erik ten Hag after Man Utd sack
13:05
Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool boss Arne Slot expects to see Erik ten Hag back ont he touchline at a big club again soon after he was sacked by Manchester United.
Slot only met Ten Hag once after arriving at Liverpool and handed his compatriot a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
“He’s a Dutch manager so it makes it even harder for me, for us as Dutch people,” Slot said earlier today when asked about Ten Hag’s dismissal.
“Always your first thoughts are with the person. We are all in this job so we know that it can happen but, if it happens, especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it, then to get this news for him is of course a pity.
“But we also know, especially us coming from Holland, how well he did at Ajax and that he won two trophies over here so we will see him I think in the near future at a big club again.
“But at this moment for him and his family it’s, of course - tragedy is maybe a bit too much to say - but it’s a big disappointment.”
Pep Guardiola backs Erik ten Hag to ‘come back stronger'
12:56
Jamie Braidwood
Pep Guardiola said he feels “sorry” for Erik ten Hag after his rival at Manchester United was given the sack - but backed him to come back stronger.
Guardiola dominated Ten Hag’s team in the Premier League but the Dutchman enjoyed perhaps his greatest victory as United manager over him when United won last season’s FA Cup final.
“I feel very sorry for him, it’s one of the best jobs in football,” Guardiola said on Tuesday lunchtime.
“There’s only us, it’s not teachers or architects or something like that, I wish him all the best and he will come back stronger.
“If the results aren’t good enough, you get sacked, no one is different, myself included.”
Latest: Manchester United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager
12:45
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager to replace Erik ten Hag
Manchester United are in talks to try and appoint Ruben Amorim, with the Sporting head coach understood to be considering the opportunity to replace Erik ten Hag. The Old Trafford hierarchy have put the 39-year-old top of their list, having not considered him during the summer. They are also willing to negotiate with the Portuguese club about a release fee that is within the region of €10m (£8.3m).
United are seeking to impress on Amorim the opportunity that the job presents and there has been considerable progress on talks, to the point that Amorim’s coaching staff has been discussed.
Bruno Fernandes on Ruben Amorim’s potential as a manager
12:25
Jack Rathborn
Bruno Fernandes spoke glowingly last year about Ruben Amorim and his potential as a manager.
The Sporting boss has been tipped to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and the Portuguese midfielder’s remarks from last year suggest he will be pleased with the potential appointment.
“I think all the qualities are there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football,” Fernandes told SportTV last year.
“Obviously, we know that the Premier League is probably the most desired. The qualities [to succeed in England] are there and he has everything to take the next step, in my opinion.”
Peter Schmeichel urges Manchester United to try ‘coach’ instead of ‘manager’
12:10
Jack Rathborn
Peter Schmeichel has urged Manchester United to hire a coach, as opposed to a manager, to ensure they complement Ineos and the new structure at Old Trafford.
“The structure [at Manchester United] fits someone like Ruben Amorim or Thomas Frank,” Schmeichel tells BBC Sport. “We've not tried this yet, it could be the time to try a 'coach' [rather than a 'manager']. Roberto de Zerbi would have worked, he's a pure coach.
“There's a few names there on the list of possible candidates. That structure that they've put in place now, it has to work 100% to make it happen.”
Ruben Amorim in action at Old Trafford as a player
11:55
Jack Rathborn
Ruben Amorim featured for Braga at Old Trafford against Manchester United back in 2012.
The hosts won 3-2 on the night, with Amorim featuring on the right-side of midfield for the Portuguese side.
Hugo Viana also played that evening, with the current Sporting director of sport poised to take over at Manchester City next season following Txiki Begiristain’s planned departure in 2025.
Ruben Amorim’s playing career with Benfica and Portugal
11:40
Jamie Braidwood
Ruben Amorim’s stock has risen considerably throughout his four-year tenure at Sporting. He broke the domestic dominance of rivals Benfica and Porto by ending the club’s 19-year title drought with a memorable Primeira Liga triumph in 2021, alongside a League Cup victory.
Yet all his rapid success as a coach follows a successful 14-year career as a player, too, in which he won 14 caps for his native Portugal.
Amorim, who hails from Lisbon, made his senior first-team debut in 2003 for Belenenses in the Portuguese first division before signing for Benfica in the summer of 2008.
It was at the Estadio da Luz where he spent the majority of his playing days, making 154 appearances across six seasons in which he fell in and out of favour with long-term boss Jorge Jesus, playing mainly in central midfield but also utilised at right-back.
Man Utd interested in building under a younger manager?
11:25
Jamie Braidwood
Should Ruben Amorim become Manchester United manager, he would be just the fourth Premier League manager under the age of 40.
The 39-year-old would be the fourth-youngest manager in the division, behind Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler (31), Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Southampton’s Russell Martin (both 38).
Sporting identify potential successor to Ruben Amorim
09:50
Jack Rathborn
Ruben Amorim’s potential move to Manchester United has seen Sporting Lisbon move for a successor.
And Joao Pereira, currently in charge of the B team, has been identified as a candidate to take charge of the team, according to A Bola.
Pereira enjoyed three spells with Sporting during his playing career and was part of Amorim’s title-winning team in 2021.
“Joao Pereira is making his mark, I think he is an excellent coach,” Amorim said last season. “he has all the conditions to become Sporting 's coach.”
Manchester United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager to replace Erik ten Hag
08:40
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United are in talks to try and appoint Ruben Amorim, with the Sporting head coach understood to be considering the opportunity to replace Erik ten Hag. The Old Trafford hierarchy have put the 39-year-old top of their list, having not considered him during the summer. They are also willing to negotiate with the Portuguese club about a release fee that is within the region of €10m (£8.3m).
United are seeking to impress on Amorim the opportunity that the job presents and there has been considerable progress on talks, to the point that Amorim’s coaching staff has been discussed.
Manchester United settle on ‘unanimous’ Erik ten Hag decision due to two clear reasons
06:00
Mike Jones
Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag and put Ruud van Nistelrooy in interim charge after deciding there was no excuse for their current underachievement.
In a unanimous decision by the club’s new hierarchy, the Independent understands, United decided neither results nor performances were good enough to give them reasons to persist with Ten Hag.
United had triggered a one-year contract extension for the Dutchman – though only after speaking to a host of other managers – and in September, new chief executive Omar Berrada said they were “fully backing him” while sporting director Dan Ashworth also gave Ten Hag his support.
Even in glory, Erik ten Hag showed why Manchester United had to sack him
05:00
Mike Jones
It says much about Manchester United’s decision on Monday to sack Erik ten Hag, as well as the club’s long-term indecision, that even the Dutch coach’s great victory offered reasons to make a change. In the days before May’s FA Cup final, the Dutch coach was insistent on going “toe to toe” with Manchester City. It was only after hours of internal debate, led by Darren Fletcher, that Ten Hag relented. He had to be told to go with different tactics.
United still persisted with the manager, even though the decision to make a change had largely been settled on before that final. That stance was revealed with how they essentially interviewed Ten Hag for his own job over the weeks after, in a first big move by the new Ineos football leadership. It immediately undermined another season. United’s multi-headed hierarchy couldn’t ultimately settle on the right replacement, which remains a problem. That, allied with initial fan emotion, was the only reason that the decision was delayed until now.
Next Manchester United manager odds: Two-horse race tipped after Erik ten Hag sacked
03:00
Mike Jones
Manchester United are looking for a new manager after Erik ten Hag was sacked following a poor start to the season.
United are 14th in the Premier League after nine games, and lie 21st in the Europa League table have failed to win any of their opening three fixtures.
The defeat by West Ham United on the weekend was ironically one of the team’s better performances under Ten Hag this season, but it proved to be the final straw for the Ineos ownership as a string of missed chances resulted in a 2-1 loss.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea posts mysterious tweet after Erik ten Hag sacked
02:00
Mike Jones
The former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea posted a mysterious tweet on X – just hours after Erik ten Hag was sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
De Gea left United in 2023 after contract talks with the club broke down. Erik ten Hag had made clear he planned to sign a goalkeeper who specialised with the ball at his feet, and United brought in Andre Onana that summer.
Now Ten Hag has himself departed after being sacked by the Ineos hierarchy following the weekend’s 2-1 defeat by West Ham United.
Ten Hag’s side conceded late goals
Monday 28 October 2024 23:30
Mike Jones
26% - Seven of Erik ten Hag’s 27 Premier League defeats came via a 90th minute winner, the highest percentage of defeats to 90th minute goals of any manager to lose 20+ games in Premier League history.
Bruno Fernandes sends message to Erik ten Hag after Manchester United sack manager
Monday 28 October 2024 18:45
Mike Jones
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes thanked Erik ten Hag in a social media post shortly after the Dutchman was sacked just nine games into the Premier League season.
Ten Hag won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his two-and-a-half years in charge and made Fernandes his captain after taking the armband off Harry Maguire in July 2023.
But United slumped to their worst-ever Premier League finish of 8th last campaign and results did not improve this season with just one win in their last eight games in all competitions.
Even in glory, Erik ten Hag showed why Manchester United had to sack him
Monday 28 October 2024 18:00
Mike Jones
It says much about Manchester United’s decision on Monday to sack Erik ten Hag, as well as the club’s long-term indecision, that even the Dutch coach’s great victory offered reasons to make a change. In the days before May’s FA Cup final, the Dutch coach was insistent on going “toe to toe” with Manchester City. It was only after hours of internal debate, led by Darren Fletcher, that Ten Hag relented. He had to be told to go with different tactics.
United still persisted with the manager, even though the decision to make a change had largely been settled on before that final. That stance was revealed with how they essentially interviewed Ten Hag for his own job over the weeks after, in a first big move by the new Ineos football leadership. It immediately undermined another season. United’s multi-headed hierarchy couldn’t ultimately settle on the right replacement, which remains a problem. That, allied with initial fan emotion, was the only reason that the decision was delayed until now.
The Manchester United failing that proved the death of Erik ten Hag
Monday 28 October 2024 16:15
Mike Jones
There was a time when Manchester United came to West Ham, Wayne Rooney took aim from 57 yards and scored. Many a comparison with the past can damn this United side but, a decade on, Diogo Dalot came to West Ham, took aim at an unguarded goal from eight yards and missed. Whether it was excruciating or merely amusing depends on your perspective, but it was costly, summing up Manchester United’s self-destructive streak.
They contrived to lose a game in which they had been absurdly, astonishingly dominant before the break. Dalot was the worst offender but not the only one. “I collected six or seven 100 percent chances we should have scored,” said Erik Ten Hag. “But in football the best team does not always win.” And United’s finest half of the season still led to a fourth defeat.
