Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag is facing increased pressure following his team’s elimination from the League Cup by Newcastle United. The media headlines have highlighted the plight of the beleaguered manager.
The Daily Telegraph’s headline read, “Ten Hag’s total humiliation, United manager facing serious questions after cup horror show.” The Star chimed in with, “Hag ‘N Daze, Erik’s sorry troops are given another big lickin’.”
Only three days after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, Manchester United had another disappointing outcome during the League Cup fourth round. The team was beaten by the same scoreline at Old Trafford and faced boos from the crowd at the final whistle.
Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall, and Joe Willock scored, leading the Daily Express to write, “Turn the heat on Ten Hag’s shambolic Reds.”
The Daily Mail’s headline stated, “Writing’s On The Wall, Ten Hag fights for his future as abysmal United crash out of Cup.”
This season, Manchester United has endured one of its worst starts ever. They have already lost five of their first ten home games in all competitions, a feat not achieved since 1930-31. Moreover, Wednesday’s match marked the first time in over 60 years that they suffered consecutive three-goal defeats at Old Trafford.
Their elimination from the League Cup was particularly humiliating since it was the only trophy Ten Hag had won during his tenure, defeating Newcastle 2-0 in last season’s Wembley final.
Nevertheless, the 53-year-old Dutchman remains determined to press on. In response to questions from reporters, he stated, “I am confident I can do it. At this moment we are in a bad place, and I take responsibility for it. But I am a fighter. I see it as a challenge.”
Ten Hag left Ajax Amsterdam to join Manchester United in April 2022, signing a three-year deal with the option for an additional year. The duration of his stay in the job will depend on his ability to quickly reverse United’s fortunes, beginning with their upcoming match against Fulham on Saturday.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
