Showmax Premier League asks: Was Ten Hag’s sacking justified?

Manchester United’s tumultuous season took another dramatic turn this week with the dismissal of manager Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils’ dismal form, marked by a 14th-place Premier League standing and a winless start to their Europa League campaign, led to the Dutchman’s departure.

As the dust settles, we delve into the opinions of passionate Manchester United fans to gauge whether this decision was the right course of action for the club.

We asked them whether the club was right to sack Ten Hag and their thoughts on the sacking.

Vis Govender

Man United made the right decision, it was long overdue. Either he never got the players to buy into his structures or it was square pegs in round holes. The performances have been dreadful, not just recently but since the turn of the year. The amount spent by him on mostly Dutch and Netherlands-based players was astounding.

Rishay Bhima

They were right to sack Erik. He wasn’t getting the best out of certain players he brought in. There was no clear playing style, and we suffered very inconsistent performances under him, so it was time to go.

Thabiso Thakali

I think sacking Ten Hag was the right decision for the club. There has been no progress in how the team has played since he arrived: no style of play and no identity. Improvement can’t just be measured by winning trophies like the FA Cup, it must also mean a team can compete at the highest level and perform well consistently.

There was no longer fighting spirit and desire in the team to improve their position on the log. If he had stayed, things could only get worse given the fixtures that are yet to come this season.

Ethel Sleith, branch secretary of the Manchester United Supporters Club, South Africa

It’s obvious the man was going to be sacked. I’m just disappointed it came on the back of a defeat due to a ridiculous VAR decision.

Each successive manager after Sir Alex Ferguson has taken the blame for poor performances, while those putting in those poor performances take no responsibility, all the while collecting huge pay cheques.

To paraphrase Roy Keane: “They keep promising to be ready for the next game. Be ready for THIS one!”

Sky Tshabalala

My immediate reaction to the sacking of Erik ten Hag was rather mixed. For me it felt like my favourite high school teacher with the worst pass rate at school just got fired. I have never called for a manager to be sacked because I’m of the view that if the club still backs him, then I back him.

But sooner or later, the run of bad results had to be dealt with thoroughly and I think the right decision was made at the end. It clearly wasn’t working anymore and to be romantic about this whole thing, even VAR had had enough of Ten Hag and ultimately VAR led to his sacking.

I mean, you ask the question: does he save his job if Bruno doesn’t see Red vs Spurs? If the West Ham pen isn’t awarded, a lot went wrong for the guy and ultimately, he ran out of luck. The board simply couldn’t wait till February for him to try win the League again or the FA Cup in May. A promising project when he started but 6-3 5-0 7-0, I don’t see many managers keeping jobs with those kind of results always echoing on the walls of old Trafford.

I do, however, think the decision could’ve been made a week or two earlier when Tuchel was available. But all in all, a bad start for United this season and it boils down to: you can’t fire all the players – the coach must be the one who takes the fall.

Adebowale Adeboye Adeoye, founder of the Manchester United Supporters Club of Nigeria

Sacking Erik ten Hag is the best decision. He has lost control of the team, he couldn’t make any good decisions. His team selection was bad, playing Rashford on the right always for Garnacho when it’s obvious he won’t perform there, was bad. All his news boys couldn’t rescue him because they’re not better than those in the team before. Overusage of Bruno and leaving Amad on bench were always decisions that made his dismissal necessary. i hope United will move on now and return to winning matches with little stress.

Karishma Dipa

I think that he deserved more time, given his long list of injuries, and time for his new signings to adjust to a new league.

Last season, he was also hit with an injury crisis. I will admit that he did appear to be stubborn and stuck in his ways at times, but I was impressed by how he handled the disrespect shown by players, especially Jadon Sancho and even calling Marcus Rashford out for being late for training.

But I do feel that he has to take responsibility for the team’s poor form.

Although I feel like he should be given more time, I’m pleased with the recruitment of Rúben Amorim and I’m curious to see what he brings, as well as the development of the club under the leadership of Ineos.

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