{"id":296745,"date":"2023-12-13T09:08:58","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T09:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=296745"},"modified":"2023-12-13T09:08:58","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T09:08:58","slug":"man-utd-could-finish-down-in-eighth-as-our-panel-discuss-erik-ten-hags-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/man-utd-could-finish-down-in-eighth-as-our-panel-discuss-erik-ten-hags-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd could finish down in eighth as our panel discuss Erik ten Hag’s future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ten Hag insists Man Utd have plenty to play for after European exit<\/h3>\n

Manchester United’s outlook for the season ahead became bleaker on Tuesday night, when they were dumped out of Europe thanks to a defeat against Bayern Munich which left them rock-bottom of Group A. With a strong Premier League finish and an FA Cup left to fight for, not to mention a future to secure for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag, Express Sport writers give their view on what’s to come for the Red Devils…<\/em><\/p>\n

Charlie Gordon<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Newcastle and Brighton yet to hit top gear in the Premier League, a misfiring United could conceivably sink as low as eighth and miss out on all forms of European qualification for next season. Negative goal difference will be of particular concern to the Red Devils, who have found the back of the net only 18 times in the league, ranking them 15th for that particular metric.<\/p>\n

Ten Hag is sure to place huge importance on the FA Cup to provide supporters with a pick-me-up and boost his chances of staying in a job. United can beat anyone and lose to anyone on any particular day, depending on which version of the side turns up, but that could stand them in good stead for a deep run in a knockout competition if things fall into place.<\/p>\n

And as for Ten Hag himself, United should allow him every chance to succeed and I expect him to be given the rest of the season to put things right. For all of their inconsistency, the Red Devils are only three points off Tottenham in the league, who are led by a hugely-celebrated new manager in Ange Postecoglou. But more instances of rubbing players up the wrong way, or abject performances like the one at St James’ Park earlier this month, could fast track his sacking.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong> Man Utd stars miss out on millions after Bayern Munich Champions League loss<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Archie Griggs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Things could still get even worse for United, who are heading into this weekend’s clash with Liverpool desperately low on confidence after their early Champions League exit. It has certainly been a torrid campaign for Ten Hag, with the club seemingly going nowhere fast under the Dutchman’s leadership.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils still lack any sort of clear identity and the blame for that must lay with Ten Hag in spite of the other factors contributing to their current woes. Many of the players he has signed in the transfer market are simply not good enough to play for United and it would not be a surprise to see him pay with his job before the season draws to a close.<\/p>\n

United will almost certainly finish outside the Premier League’s top four if they continue treading water and losing games they would not have batted an eyelid at in the past. Newcastle and Brighton will fancy their chances of overtaking United in the table based on current form, which could mean a lowly eighth-placed finish to mark their worst league campaign in over 30 years.<\/p>\n