Erik ten Hag has warned that Manchester United being relegated from the Premier League this season is “certainly possible” after his former side slipped to 17th in the table on Saturday.
Only United’s goal difference has United out of the drop zone after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a result that piled further pressure on head coach Michael Carrick.
United have not been relegated since 1974 and, despite there being plenty of time left to turn things around this season, are now contemplating the once unthinkable prospect of a relegation battle. They face Aston Villa and Liverpool in their next two league games.
Ten Hag was in charge at Old Trafford from April 2022 to November 2024. After finishing third in his first season in charge, United dropped to eighth in 2023-24 and the Dutch manager only lasted until November the following season as he was sacked with the club in 14th place.
He led United to the Carabao Cup in 2022-23 and the FA Cup a year later.
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Asked if he sees United being relegated as a possible scenario come May on ESPN NL’s ‘Goedemorgen Eredivisie’, Ten Hag said: “In the Premier League it’s certainly possible, because 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 — yes, then it can become very, very difficult.”
Ten Hag, who is now the technical director of Dutch side FC Twente, also had some choice words for Cristiano Ronaldo’s application and fitness during their time together as he reflected on his time at Old Trafford.
“I think we performed pretty well with United,” Ten Hag said. “I think we had performed more than pretty well. We couldn’t have done it better.
“Before we arrived, six years without winning a trophy. Look where they are now. We were at Wembley six times, we played two FA Cup finals. We won 2 trophies, we finished third. And yes, we simply performed pretty well. And at times we also played pretty good football.
“We also had a difficult spell… But the Premier League is so strong and when you hit a difficult spell, yes, then you really have a problem.”
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