Despite a turbulent beginning to the new Premier League season, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has received strong backing from the club’s senior management, emphasizing their commitment to the long-term success of the team. The Dutchman, who narrowly survived an eighth-place finish last season—the club’s worst since 1990—thanks to a crucial FA Cup final win against Manchester City, now faces renewed pressure following a disheartening 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool. This latest setback has left United languishing in 14th place, with just three points from their opening three games.
With the international break on the horizon, United’s next fixture against Southampton on September 14 looms large. A loss in that match could result in United’s worst start to a season since 1986-87, when they managed only a single point from their first four games—a disastrous run that ultimately led to the sacking of then-manager Ron Atkinson and the appointment of Sir Alex Ferguson. For Ten Hag, the parallels are ominous, but for now, he retains the full support of United’s new football hierarchy, spearheaded by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
In the lead-up to the Liverpool clash, both Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth publicly affirmed their confidence in Ten Hag’s leadership, despite their lack of involvement in the post-season review that secured his position. Berrada noted that although their appointments came after the decision to retain Ten Hag was made, they fully endorse the choice.
“It was a decision taken prior to both of our arrivals, but we are very happy with it,” Berrada stated. “Erik has our full backing. We think he is the right coach for us. We have worked very closely together in this transfer window, and we are going to continue working very closely with him to help get the best results out of the team.”
Ashworth, whose experience includes a successful tenure at Brighton and Hove Albion where he initially supported Chris Hughton, followed by the appointment of Graham Potter, emphasized the normalcy of working alongside a manager who predates his tenure as sporting director. He highlighted his satisfaction with the current collaboration with Ten Hag, which has spanned the last eight weeks.
“Very rarely do you go into a job as a sporting director and there is no manager in place,” Ashworth explained. “All I can do is reiterate that I’ve really enjoyed working with Erik for the last eight weeks. My job is to support him in every way I possibly can, whether that’s operationally, with recruitment, medical, psychology, [and] the training ground flow to allow him to fully focus on the training pitch and match tactical plan, to deliver success for Manchester United.”
Despite the rocky start, there is a palpable sense of belief among the United hierarchy that Ten Hag is capable of steering the club towards the sustained success they crave. This belief is evident in the trust placed in him during a critical transfer window and the unwavering support from the club’s new football structure. The message from the top is clear: Ten Hag is the right man for the job, and they are willing to weather the current storm to give him the best possible chance of success.
However, the pressure is undeniable. United fans, still yearning for a return to the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson, are growing restless. Patience, as always in football, is in short supply, and results on the pitch will ultimately dictate Ten Hag’s fate. The upcoming match against Southampton could prove pivotal, but for now, Ten Hag has the backing of the powers that be at Old Trafford—a luxury not often afforded to managers in the cutthroat world of football.
