Erik ten Hag was eager to highlight how injuries and luck had not been on his side, but the Dutchman’s complaints only added to the frustration for Manchester United fans – and potentially the club’s decision-makers – during his time in charge.
Upon taking over in the 2022-23 season, Ten Hag lost 35 out of 128 games in all competitions, with a slightly higher win percentage than the previous permanent manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Out of the five permanent bosses employed by United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Louis van Gaal has the lowest overall figure. David Moyes comes next, with Ten Hag’s figure surpassed only by Jose Mourinho.
According to BBC Sport, the five managers ranked by win percentage are Mourinho (58.3%), Ten Hag (54.7%), Solskjaer (54.2%), Moyes (52.9%), and Van Gaal (52.4%).
1,739 – Manchester United faced 1,739 shots in their 128 games under Erik ten Hag. Since 2022-23, Manchester City have faced 717 fewer shots than United despite playing six more games in that time. Unsustainable. pic.twitter.com/OEe6RDMyaO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 28, 2024
Ten Hag Premier League wins
Only Moyes, with 32.4%, lost a higher percentage of his Premier League games than Ten Hag (31.8%), as per Opta. United’s loss at West Ham resulted in them losing over 44% of their top-flight matches this season.
United’s poor form justifies the Ineos Group’s decision to take over the football side of the club in February. Ten Hag’s win percentage of less than 29% in 2024-25 is the lowest in the club’s history.
Captain Bruno Fernandes has urged United fans to remember the few positive moments of Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford, which were enough to secure his job for over two years.
26% – Seven of Erik ten Hag’s 27 Premier League defeats came via a 90th minute winner, the highest percentage of defeats to 90th minute goals of any manager to lose 20+ games in Premier League history. Fergietime. pic.twitter.com/mfMch5XWUG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 28, 2024
Ten Hag trophies
Ten Hag’s Carabao Cup win in 2022-23 and FA Cup triumph last season made him the only United manager, besides Mourinho, to lift multiple trophies since Ferguson’s era.
The FA Cup final win over Manchester City led Ineos to extend his contract, following reports that he would be sacked regardless of the result.
Ten Hag criticized his players’ finishing at West Ham, where missed opportunities and defensive frailties continued to plague the team.
108 – Only Ipswich Town (47 minutes and 9 seconds) have been in the lead for less time in the Premier League this season than Manchester United (108 minutes and 5 seconds). Difficulties.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 28, 2024
United goals gloom under Ten Hag
United ended last season with a negative goal difference for the first time, scoring the fewest goals in the top 10. Ten Hag’s teams also conceded an average of 1.29 goals per game post-Ferguson, unlike the period before his arrival.
In terms of goals scored, United have struggled this season, ranking poorly compared to other teams in the league.
The most expensive signings made by Man United during Erik ten Hag’s reign 😮 pic.twitter.com/qQfNcPjLNX
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 28, 2024
Ten Hag in Europe
While Ten Hag led Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018-19, his tenure at United saw limited success in Europe, with most wins coming during the Europa League campaign of his first season.
United’s European performances have been inconsistent, with only one win in their last 11 games in European competitions.
Despite challenges, Ten Hag remains optimistic about the team’s fighting spirit and determination to win games.
