Erik ten Hag is on thin ice after an embarrassing start to his second season at Manchester United. The Dutch boss is under immense pressure after back-to-back losses against Manchester City and Newcastle United. As per the latest reports, the English club has lined up two replacements for the Dutch boss.
Manchester United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United in their last fixture. They were second-best against the second-string side of Newcastle United. As per The Times, the embarrassing performance at Old Trafford has put the Dutch boss ‘on thin ice’ according to a ‘senior source’ at the club.
Manchester United are currently 8th in the Premier League table with only 15 points in 10 games. They are eight points behind Liverpool in 4th place. They have already suffered losses in 50% of their league matches and suffered eight losses in 15 matches in all competitions. The start of the second season of Erik ten Hag‘s tenure has been the worst start to a season by the English club in the last 61 years.
🚨🇳🇱 BREAKING! Manchester United are considering alternatives to Erik Ten Hag, who is thought to be “on thin ice” at the club. @TimesSport
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) November 2, 2023
Fans recently pointed out that José Mourinho was sacked after suffering eight losses in 24 matches in 2018/19. Erik ten Hag has already matched this tally in 15 matches.
The pressure from results is compounded by the internal issues at the English club. Within 15 months of his arrival, Erik ten Hag has been involved in public spats with key players like David de Gea, Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jadon Sancho.
Manchester United has backed their manager against these players. However, the results as well as the fractured dressing room have put the Dutch boss in danger of losing his job.
Manchester United considering two potential replacements for Erik ten Hag
The woeful start to the season has prompted the United Chiefs to line two potential replacements for Erik ten Hag. As reported by The Sun, Zinedine Zidane and Ruben Amorim are leading the race to replace the Dutch boss at the English club.
🚨| Manchester United view Zinedine Zidane as one of the potential candidates to replace Erik Ten Hag. @TimesSport 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ObGhwA70Wa
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 2, 2023
Zidane has been a free agent since 2021 since his last spell at Real Madrid. During his two successful stints at Real Madrid, Zidane won three UEFA Champions League and two La Liga titles.
On the other hand, Ruben Amorim has been impressive at Sporting Lisbon since his appointment in the 2019/20 season. During his spell at the Portuguese club, he won four major titles, including the Portuguese League in 2020/21, which was the first league title of the club in 19 years.
This replacement list might undergo change after the conclusion of the ownership saga at the English club. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a hot favorite to land 25% ownership at the club along with the operating rights at the club.
Looking ahead, Manchester United will face Fulham away from home in the Premier League on the weekend. They will travel to Copenhagen after that for match day four of the UCL. Erik ten Hag would be hoping for back-to-back victories in these fixtures to ease some pressure on him.