Erik ten Hag: The highs and lows of his Manchester United reign

Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman has paid the price for United’s dismal start to the season.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of his highs and lows since being appointed in the summer of 2022.

Lows

Brentford 4-0 Man United, August 2022

United had already lost their first league game of Ten Hag’s tenure against Brighton at Old Trafford, but the true size of his task was laid bare a week later in west London as Brentford hit four goals inside the opening 35 minutes to leave the visitors bottom of the league.

Man City 6-3 Man United, October 2022

The team had recovered from losing Ten Hag’s first two league fixtures to record four consecutive wins, but illusions of a smooth upward trajectory were shattered at the Etihad Stadium as City demonstrated their clear superiority to put six past their rivals for just the second time in the Premier League era.

Liverpool 7-0 Man United, March 2023

United were 10 points clear of their northwest rivals and had already beaten them at home earlier in the campaign, but the manner of their capitulation at Anfield left the manager facing the ignominy of having overseen the club’s heaviest ever defeat to Liverpool.

Crystal Palace 4-0 Man United, May 2024

United had all but seen their hopes of sneaking into Europe slip away by the time they travelled to Selhurst Park for their penultimate away game of the season.

What followed was a chaotic performance in which they were ripped to shreds by a Palace side who looked sharper, fitter and more organised, leaving Ten Hag’s position looking more precarious than ever.

Man United 0-3 Tottenham, September 2024

Ten Hag’s side, who had lost to rivals Liverpool 3-0 in their previous league outing at Old Trafford, were swept aside by Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs.

Defender Micky van de Ven was allowed to run through United’s half almost unopposed before his cross found an unmarked Brennan Johnson to give Spurs a third-minute lead. Captain Bruno Fernandes then saw red before half-time and Spurs could have scored more than the two second-half goals they managed.

Highs

Man United 2-0 Newcastle, February 2023

Victory in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley handed Ten Hag a major domestic trophy after just eight months in the job and, with the team looking on course to return to the Champions League, the manager’s rebuild looked to be well on track.

Man United 2-1 Barcelona, February 2023

Barca were on track to be crowned LaLiga champions, despite having dropped out of the Champions League into the Europa League, but United rolled back the years to some of their greatest European nights with a win that saw them go through 4-3 on aggregate.

Man United 4-1 Chelsea, May 2023

Chelsea were swept aside at Old Trafford in the final home game of the season, a win that ensured the team would be playing in Europe’s top club competition after a year away.

Man United 2-1 Man City, May 2024

United produced their finest performance under Ten Hag as the Dutch boss got his tactics spot on to come out on top in his FA Cup final battle with Pep Guardiola.

A fantastic first-half display was capped by goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo and Ten Hag’s men stood firm in the second to condemn the champions to a shock defeat.