Ten Hag on Thin Ice as Man Utd Face Must-Win Clash Against Tottenham

Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, is feeling the heat as his team struggles to find form this season. With only two wins and one draw so far, the Red Devils currently sit in 11th place as they prepare for a crucial Super Sunday clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

In the past week, United have recorded back-to-back draws—a goalless stalemate against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and a 1-1 draw at home to Twente. These results have left Ten Hag under mounting pressure, especially with the October international break fast approaching.

Speaking ahead of the Tottenham game, Ten Hag acknowledged the criticism but remained focused.

“Respect the criticism. In football, opinions are everywhere, but I can’t take every single one into account,” the Dutchman said. “I stay methodical, guiding the team down the right path and focusing on the areas we need to improve.”

The upcoming week presents a real test for United. After the Spurs match, they face FC Porto in the Europa League and an away fixture at Aston Villa next weekend.

On the other side, Tottenham head to Old Trafford in good form. Ange Postecoglou’s side bounced back from an early goal to beat Brentford last weekend and followed it up with a 3-0 victory against Qarabag in the Europa League, despite being down to 10 men.

Both teams are desperate for a win, with Manchester United in 11th and Tottenham in 10th. A draw won’t cut it, especially with Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea threatening to widen the gap.

Since Ten Hag’s appointment in July 2022, United have invested heavily—spending approximately £560 million across three summer transfer windows. While he secured the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, expectations are much higher this season.