Erik ten Hag sacked by Manchester United after two-and-a-half years as manager with side 14th in Premier League

Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge as interim head coach while a permanent successor is recruited; Man Utd’s new co-owners INEOS had backed Erik ten Hag in the summer with a contract extension until June 2026 but he leaves with the club lying 14th in the Premier League

Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag in the wake of their dismal start to the season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach while a permanent head coach is recruited.

It then emerged on Monday evening that Man Utd had approached Sporting over appointing head coach Ruben Amorim as their new boss.

The decision to sack Ten Hag – who was only given a contract extension in July after surviving a summer review and spent over £600m in transfer fees during his tenure – has been described as ‘difficult and finely balanced’ by Manchester United’s hierarchy. Ten Hag’s sacking is set to cost United in the region of £13.5million.

Ten Hag is understood to have been ‘taken aback’ by the timing of his ousting. However, it is understood that the decision by the club’s board, made less than 24 hours after their controversial 2-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday, was unanimous.

Crucially, it was felt that the club’s on-field results have not been good enough.

In contrast to the comments from Ten Hag, the hierarchy did not see the team on the right path and felt there were no excuses for the position United are in. They have won just four of their 14 games this season.