Erik ten Hag sacked as manager of Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has been sacked as manager of Manchester United.

The Dutch football manager has been relieved of his duties after the Red Devils went out with a whimper, losing 2-1 to West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday (27 October) afternoon following a late penalty from Jarrod Bowen.

The result left United in 14th place in the Premier League table after nine games, with just one win in their last eight games in all competitions.

Assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to take over as interim head coach until a permanent replacement is found.

The Dutchman's reign came to an uninspiring end (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Manchester United released an official statement on social media, reading: "Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

"Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

"We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited."

Erik ten Hag was appointed manager in the summer of 2022, leading the side to third place and eighth place - the lowest ever by the club in the Premier League era - finishes in the league in his two full seasons along with two domestic cups.

The 54-year-old became the first manager since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement to win trophies in consecutive years, but the club's league form in the 2023/24 season and at the beginning of the 2024/25 season put his job in jeopardy, despite signing a one-year contract extension in the summer after the club's FA Cup final win over local rivals Manchester City.

United have had an abysmal start to the 24/25 season (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

As well as the side's poor league form, they have failed to win any of their three Europa League games, drawing all three after taking the lead in each game, and currently sitting 21st of 36 in the Europa League table.

Already this season, United have endured 3-0 losses at home to both Liverpool and Tottenham, the latter of which former United defender turned pundit Gary Neville labelled as 'disgusting'.

This means that ten Hag is the fifth manager to come and go at United in the 11 years following Ferguson's retirement, with the club failing to win the Premier League in this time, having lost won it in 2013.