Ten Hag Sounds Relegation Alarm As Man Utd Slip To 17th
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has warned that the club could suffer the unthinkable prospect of Premier League relegation this season, insisting that such an outcome is “certainly possible” following their alarming slide down the table.
United's relegation fears intensified after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge left them 17th, with only goal difference keeping them above the relegation zone. The result also increased pressure on current manager Michael Carrick as the Old Trafford side struggles to arrest its poor run.
Manchester United, who have not been relegated from the English top flight since 1974, now face a daunting run of fixtures against Aston Villa and Liverpool in their next two league matches.
Speaking on ESPN NL's Goedemorgen Eredivisie, Ten Hag was asked whether he could envisage United dropping into the Championship by the end of the season.
“Certainly possible,” the Dutchman replied, warning that the competitiveness of the Premier League means no club can take its survival for granted.
“All the teams are simply strong. They're all strong squads, all good managers. And if you end up on the wrong side once and you really get into that vicious circle, then it can become very, very difficult,” he said.
Ten Hag managed United from April 2022 until November 2024, winning the Carabao Cup in his first season and the FA Cup in 2024. He also guided the club to a third-place finish in his debut campaign before their league performance declined.
Reflecting on his spell at Old Trafford, the current FC Twente technical director defended his achievements, pointing to the trophies won and the club's appearances at Wembley.
He said United had gone six years without winning a trophy before his arrival, adding that his team reached Wembley six times, contested two FA Cup finals, won two trophies and finished third in the Premier League.
Ten Hag admitted that his team also endured difficult periods but maintained that the strength of the English top flight makes recovering from a poor run particularly challenging.
United's immediate priority will be to halt their slide before the relegation threat becomes even more serious.
