Manchester United make decision on Erik ten Hag sacking after dire Champions League defeat

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is struggling in the wake of Galatasaray Champions League defeat

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 04/10/2023

- 10:11

Updated: 04/10/2023

- 10:45

The Red Devils have now lost six of their first 10 games this season

Manchester United saw their season stoop to a new low following a 3-2 Champions League defeat to Galatasary on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils twice took the lead through Rasmus Hojlund but goals from Wilfried Zaha, Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu and Mauro Icardi gave the Turkish side all three points.


United have been dreadful so far this season, with pressure on Erik ten Hag rising as a result.

The club lavishly backed the Dutchman back in the summer, with Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana among the big arrivals.

Man Utd Galatasaray

Man Utd were poor as Galatasaray beat them in the Champions League on Tuesday night

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However, according to the Guardian, United have no plans to relieve the 53-year-old of his duties despite the mood and gloom mood around Old Trafford increasing.

It's claimed his position as manager is 'secure for the foreseeable future'.

And it's also stated that it is 'not an issue up for discussion by the club executive'.

The hierarchy still believe Ten Hag is the right man to take the club forward for the long term, despite worsening results.

And United board members feel sympathy for the Dutchman and the injury crisis that has hampered the club during the early stages of the season.

They had to do without Hojlund during the early stages of the campaign, with the striker suffering with a back problem.

Left-backs Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilon are currently missing through injuries and illness.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka picked up a hamstring injury recently and is expected to be sidelined until November.

And Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Amad are all sidelined at present as well.

United won't have long to dwell on their latest defeat, with Brentford in the Premier League up next on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking after the loss to Galatasary, Ten Hag insisted the Red Devils must use their latest setback as fuel to ignite their season.

“Yes I can understand, they can expect responsibility from the team, for the performance, for the result with my squad," he said.

“In this moment we don't get the results, they are disappointed, we have to do better.

“As I have said, also I have seen a team with great spirit and also a team that was backed by the crowd from the start until the end.

“In the end, the fans are disappointed as we are. We are also very disappointed.

“But that also has to be fuel and that is the good thing about this team. Every time they find the energy in every game, at the start of every game.

“There was a team with a lot of energy and with a good motivation going into the game.”

Hojlund, meanwhile, echoed his manager's words as said United must stick together in order to go on a winning run.

"We need to remember we can't [concede] goals right after we score," he said.

"We [have] had a few games now where they just score, after we scored.

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The Glazers Man Utd

The Glazers are prepared to stick with Erik ten Hag despite Man Utd's season going from bad to worse

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"So we want to go back and analyse that tomorrow and talk about it in the group.

"And of course, it's a tough period now, but we need to stick together and that's the only way we can get out of this period."

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