Why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United is an important topic for the club's hierarchy to understand as they set to appoint a successor to the departed Dutchman, who was releived of his duties on Monday.

Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United nightmare was broght to an end after 27 months since the club confirmed him as their new manager, becoming the permanent manager appointed as the replacement of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked in late 2021.

He became the club's third longest serving manager of those appointed following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2013 — only Jose Mourinho, 1068 days, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 900 days, spend more than his 850 days on the job.

The former Ajax boss took charge of 128 games, won 72, drew 20 and lost 36. His era produced 234 goals, and conceded 180 times. He won two trophies, aforementioned Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

His stint at the club was a tale of two halves, the first was more promising, with the club finishing third on the league standing and ending a five year wait for a silverware with their success in the 2023 Carabao Cup final.

The second was a tale of dip and diminish of all the positives that was recorded in the first part. With Manchester United languishing in 14th place nine games into the league season while they are without a win in Europe, after three games.

Some players and staff were reportedly that relieved at the decision to sack the manager. They had been baffled by his recent team selections and signings, and felt that he gave preferential treatment to some players.

In this article, we take a look his days at the club, where it could have done better. Here are five of the many factors that ultimately resulted in why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United.

Why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United — Five Reasons 

1. Tactical Missteps; an unforgivable flaw

Erik Ten Hag’s tactical approach at Manchester United was often criticized for its rigidity and lack of adaptability. While he arrived with a reputation for innovative strategies, his insistence on specific formations limited the team's flexibility. Matches often revealed a predictable style of play that opponents could easily exploit.

For instance, Ten Hag favored a high-pressing game, yet the squad lacked the necessary fitness and cohesion to execute this effectively over 90 minutes. This led to gaps in defense, allowing teams to counterattack successfully.

Under the Dutchman, Manchester United set a new club record for most goals conceded in a 38-game Premier League season with Andre Onana picking the ball out o his own net on 58 occasions in 2023-24 season, which was also more than times the club scored goals in the competition, 57.

Moreover, his reliance on certain players to fit his system meant that alternatives were seldom explored, stifling the development of emerging talents.

Erik Ten Hag saw to the departure of players at Manchester United, almost all of whom hit the ground running at their new clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Scott Mctominay to mention but a few.

In critical moments, such as pivotal league matches, reluctance to adjust his tactics or make timely substitutions often resulted in missed opportunities for victory contributed to why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United. As his reign aged, this inflexibility not only frustrated fans but also contributed to a decline in player morale.

Ultimately, Ten Hag’s tactical missteps highlighted a disconnect between his vision and the club’s immediate needs, undermining his ability to achieve lasting success at Manchester United.

2. Poor Player Management Resulting in Dip in Performances 

One of the factors that contributed to why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United was that his stint was marred by significant player management issues that undermined team performance.

Effective leadership requires not only tactical knowledge but also the ability to foster a positive environment. Unfortunately, the former Ajax boss struggled with maintaining player morale, particularly with high-profile figures, hence he could not successfully implement his tactics for longer.

Key players often found themselves sidelined or publicly criticized, leading to a rift between the coach and the squad. This disconnect was particularly evident in his handling of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, whose tumultuous exit highlighted a failure to integrate influential personalities into his plans. The fallout from such decisions created a culture of uncertainty and dissatisfaction among players.

His reluctance to rotate his squad effectively contributed to fatigue and injuries, further straining relationships within the team. Why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United ia also highlighted in his inability to motivate players and build trust, which ultimately stifled their potential and reduced overall performance levels.

Players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro had good first seasons at the club but with time, their performances diminished. Even Bruno Fernandes is not the same player he was, before the appointment of the 54-year-old.

As a result, the combination of poor player management and a lack of proper communication left many players feeling undervalued and disconnected from the team’s objectives. 

This negative environment hindered Ten Hag’s efforts and played a crucial role in his failure to fulfil the dreams at the theatre of dreams.

3. Inconsistent Results Getting More Potent as Spell Aged

Erik Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United was significantly defined by inconsistent results, which undermined his credibility and the team's aspirations. After a promising start, the club often faltered in crucial matches.

For example, despite securing a Carabao Cup victory in 2023, United was faced with disappointing league performances, including heavy defeats like the 6-3 loss to Manchester City and a 4-0 embarrassment against Brentford.

Although he could still be forgiven for those results, as he led the team to an incredible run at Old Trafford, where they went 31 games without losing between September 2022 and August 2023.

Throughout his time at United, inconsistencies reflected a lack of tactical cohesion and inability to capitalize on weakness of the opposition. A staggering statistic is that United dropped points in 19 matches between 2022 and 2023 under ETH, illustrating their struggle to maintain momentum, majorly away from home.

Furthermore, his frequent tactical shifts created confusion, leaving players uncertain about their roles. This lack of stability manifested in underwhelming performances, especially in pressure situations.

Eventually, the combination of poor results and fluctuating performances not only hindered their league standing but also eroded fan confidence and player morale, contributing to why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United.

Why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United

4. Poor Transfer Decisions Leading to Lack of Depth and Endless Injuries

Why Erik at Hag failed at Manchester United can be largely attributed to a significant lack of squad depth, which became increasingly apparent during his tenure. But it is only fair to admit that it was all down to his own doing.

The former FC Utrecht boss oversaw three summers at the club and made some awful decisions in the transfer windows, one of them being splashing huge cash on Mason Mount, who put in his lowest performance in his final season at Chelsea.

Despite a promising start in 2022-23, injuries and fatigue plagued key players throughout the season, revealing the vulnerabilities in the squad.

With limited alternatives, the club often relied heavily on a core group of players, which led to burnout. A report from the Premier League indicated that United’s squad depth ranked below that of their closest rivals, making it difficult to maintain consistent performance across multiple competitions.

In Europe, this lack of rotation resulted in early exits, further straining the starting XI. Manchester United finished bottom of their Champions League group for the first time ever under Erik Ten Hag, in the same group where they did play Galatasaray and Copenhagen over two legs each.

Currently, players like Leny Yoro, Tyrel Malacia, Mason Mount and Antony, all of whom were signed by Erik Ten Hag are on the sideline, while Luke Shaw is also currently injured, continuing his own reputation, which is only costly to the club because his ultimate replacement signed by the just departed manager, qis having a worse battle with injury.

This combination of injuries and inadequate depth ultimately hindered Ten Hag’s tactical flexibility and contributed to disappointing performances, stalling his vision for success at Manchester United.

5. Inability to Inspire Players 

Unending discontent among players also part why Erik Ten Hag failed at Manchester United, a factor which ultimately contributed to his inability to inspire the team and as he lasted on the job, the fact became increasingly evident.

Players appeared confused by shifting formations and strategies, undermining their performance on the pitch. For instance, during the 2022-2023 season, United's inconsistent results—highlighted by a dismal away record—reflected this uncertainty.

Ten Hag struggled to effectively communicate with players like Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, whose performances waned under pressure. His rigid approach left little room for player expression, stifling creativity and morale.

Bruno Fernandes was absolutely bossing it since he joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in the winter of 2021. The Portuguese's performance has dropped significantly under Ten Hag, while in the same period he thrives with national team.

The combination of these factors led to a decline in team spirit and performance. As confidence eroded, results followed suit, culminating in early exits from key competitions. 

Ultimately, his inability to inspire and unify his players highlighted the challenges of managing a club with the rich history and expectations of Manchester United.

In conclusion, a combination of tactical rigidity, poor player management, inconsistent results, inadequate squad depth, and cultural misalignment contributed to Erik Ten Hag's failure at Manchester United.

As Manchester United seek the replacement for Erik Ten Hag, the hierarchy to be cautious not to repeat the same mistake as poor appointment is becoming a vicious cycle at the club.