Ten Hag set for nervy wait over Man Utd future after worst EVER Premier League start

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 6 Oct 2024 12:46 CDT
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag could be fighting for his future during the international break after overseeing Manchester United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Despite a commendable goalless draw at Aston Villa, United head into the international break with just eight points and two wins from their first seven games – their lowest points total at this stage since 1989.

Only 19th place Southampton have scored less goals than the Red Devils and another toothless display in front of Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not have helped convince the United chief of Ten Hag’s credentials.

READ MORE: Man Utd suffer WORST EVER START in Premier League history

Speaking before the Villa game, Gary Neville admitted that a poor display from United could make the situation ‘difficult’ for Ten Hag due to the time until the next game.

“Clubs do reassess during international breaks. Everyone recognised it felt like a monumental day last week,' he said on Sky Sports. “A bit of fear in that United boardroom that the situation escalates out of control.”

However, a draw against a top team may have done enough to save Ten Hag’s job for now, although with another international break set to commence in November, any respite could be short-lived.

Ten Hag defiant over Man Utd future

For all United’s struggles in front of goal, Ten Hag was keen to praise his side’s defence after shutting out Villa, which made it four clean sheets from the first seven games.

Ten Hag said: "I think it's the fourth clean sheet this season. You see we had a very good organisation and togetherness. There was good character and good spirit as a team. Determined, resilient.”

In regards to his relationship with the onlooking owners, Ten Hag added: “We always speak, every week we speak. We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through it's a long-term process.”

READ MORE: Next Man Utd manager odds

United are unlikely to make any hasty decisions until Ten Hag’s position becomes truly untenable, with the draw perhaps helping the Dutchman cling onto his job for another match.

Ten Hag will also hope the return to fitness for Rasmus Hojlund will help his sides struggles in front of goal, with the club’s xG still in the top five despite their poor output.

United will have four more Premier League fixtures before the next international break, while also having played another round in the EFL Cup and progressing further into the Europa League campaign, at which point Ten Hag’s future should become a lot clearer whether he remains or is finally given his marching orders.