Erik ten Hag was dismissed by Manchester United following a poor run of form, with the Dutch manager reportedly feeling “disappointed” with three veteran Red Devils players.
Ten Hag’s sacking was confirmed this past Monday. His compatriot and assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy has stepped in as interim head coach while the club negotiates with Sporting CP to bring in Ruben Amorim as Ten Hag’s replacement.
Although he received backing from new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS over the summer with a contract extension, Ten Hag was unable to improve United’s performance. According to The Mirror, he views Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, and Antony as key factors contributing to his downfall.
Rashford has managed only one Premier League goal this season, in the 3-0 win over Southampton, and went without a shot in the first three games. His previous season was also disappointing, with just seven goals and three assists in the Premier League, compared to 17 league goals (30 across all competitions) the season before.
Casemiro has also struggled, performing well in his first season but deteriorating in his second, with inconsistent performances since the start of 2024/25. The Brazilian midfielder was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League over the summer but ultimately stayed.
Antony, once a standout under Ten Hag at Ajax and signed by United for £86 million, has also failed to make a significant impact for the team.
Bruno Fernandes, another high-profile player whom Ten Hag appointed as captain, recently came under fire for underwhelming performances and receiving two red cards in consecutive games.
After Ten Hag’s dismissal, however, Fernandes took to social media to express his gratitude: “Thank you for everything, boss. I appreciate the trust and the moments we shared. Wishing you all the best in the future.”