Sheffield United save Ten Hag from ultimate embarrassment
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 4 Dec 2023 10:39 GMT
- 3 min read
Erik ten Hag continues to face increasing pressure at Manchester United after their disappointing loss to Newcastle this weekend, but the Dutchman is set to be saved from some embarrassment by Sheffield United.
Anthony Gordon’s second-half winner condemned Ten Hag to a sixth Premier League defeat of the season – more than any other team in the top half – leaving Man Utd in seventh place.
Although the result leaves Ten Hag under intense scrutiny, the United boss looks set to avoid the ignominy of becoming the first manager to be sacked this season.
Ten Hag had, at one point, been the bookies’ favourite to be sacked but The Athletic have reported that Sheffield United will part ways with Paul Heckingbottom after their dismal 5-0 defeat to relegation rivals Burnley on Saturday.
The Blades are now rock bottom of the Premier League, having won just won of their opening 14 games, with a four-point gap opening up between them and 17th-placed Luton Town.
Former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, who left Watford earlier this year, is believed to be in line to replace Heckingbottom, having been sacked by the Blades in 2021 during their last stint in the top flight.
Zidane favourite to replace Ten Hag at Old Trafford
While Ten Hag may have been spared from some immediate blushes, the former Ajax manager is now the favourite to follow Heckingbottom out the door, with United also on the cusp of crashing out the Champions League at the group stage.
However, a decision on his future is unlikely to be made before the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe to United’s board, with the billionaire believed to be handed control of the club’s footballing operations when his investment is completed in the coming weeks.
Erik ten Hag's away results against the top nine in the Premier League
| Date | Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2022 | Brentford | 0-4 | L |
| October 2022 | Man City | 3-6 | L |
| November 2022 | Aston Villa | 1-3 | L |
| January 2023 | Arsenal | 2-3 | L |
| March 2023 | Liverpool | 0-7 | L |
| April 2023 | Newcastle | 0-2 | L |
| April 2023 | Tottenham | 2-2 | D |
| May 2023 | Brighton | 0-1 | L |
| August 2023 | Tottenham | 0-2 | L |
| September 2023 | Arsenal | 1-3 | L |
| December 2023 | Newcastle | 0-1 | L |
Consequently, Ten Hag will seemingly be given more time to turn United’s season around, although United have reportedly been considering alternative managers, with ex-Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane the bookmakers’ favourite to move to Old Trafford.
Premier League clubs have shown more restraint with sackings this season compared to normal, with seven managers having lost their jobs already at this point last year.
