Why did Manchester United decide to sack Erik ten Hag? Report provides update

Premier League giants Manchester United reportedly believed that they had no choice but to sack manager Erik ten Hag midway through the 2024-25 season. It has been claimed that dismal results combined with poor performances meant that the 54-year-old had 'no excuses' left.

United are currently in the midst of their worst goalscoring start in the EPL era (since 1992), with just eight goals scored in their first nine games. Of those, they have won just three, drawing two and losing four.

After the Red Devils' 2-1 loss to West Ham United on Sunday (October 27) left them straggling in 14th place, the Dutchman's position was under intense scrutiny. The club officially parted ways with the tactician on Monday (October 28), eliciting mixed reactions from fans and media.

According to reporter Rich Fay of Manchester Evening News (via manchesterworld.uk), sources close to the club claimed that they wanted to give Ten Hag a fair chance in the new sporting structure. However, after the game against West Ham, it was adjudged that the results and performances were not trending in the right direction for them to maintain their faith in him.

In the calendar year of 2024, United have managed just 40 points in 27 games in the league. Therefore, the club's perspective is that there are 'simply no excuses' for the appalling displays from the squad.

The club is also said to believe that there is no improvement from the squad despite the slew of changes within the administration and structure.

Big names like Julian Nagelsmann, Xavi Hernandez and Ruben Amorim have been linked with United in the past and will likely still be top candidates to replace Ten Hag. While the search for their next manager continues, Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as the club's interim manager.

"That's what Manchester United's DNA is about" - Rio Ferdinand makes claim about potential Erik ten Hag replacement

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that ex-Barcelona manager Xavi would be the perfect replacement for outgoing boss Erik ten Hag.

The English centre-back, who made 455 appearances for United between 2002 and 2014, claimed that Xavi's brand of football could fit the Red Devils like a glove. The Spaniard has been without a job after being sacked by the Catalan giants in favor of Hansi Flick at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Ferdinand claimed that Xavi's injection of youth and pacy, 'aggressive football' at Barca is almost analogous to the Red Devils' principles. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, he said (via United In Focus):

"It's difficult but Xavi, if we could get someone like him, playing football the way Barcelona did with that aggressive football… he won the league when he was at Barca, introducing young players into the team, he brought Lamine Yamal in – that's what Manchester United’s DNA is about as well."

As the search for Manchester United's next manager continues, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of his first game later this week. The Red Devils take on Leicester City in the Round of 16 of the EFL Cup on October 30.