Erik ten Hag’s Downfall at Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s turbulent tenure at Manchester United was marked by numerous clashes with key players, ultimately contributing to his dismissal. His two-year stint was riddled with conflicts that strained relationships within the squad and eroded support from fans and players alike.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s highly anticipated return in 2021 quickly soured, culminating in a dramatic fallout. The Portuguese icon’s contract was terminated following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticized both the club’s infrastructure and accused Ten Hag of dishonesty, stating he lacked respect for the manager. Ten Hag, unfazed, insisted Ronaldo “had to go,” which led to the forward’s move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. This tension reignited in September when Ronaldo rebuked Ten Hag’s low ambitions, declaring that a Manchester United manager must always aim for Premier League and Champions League titles.
2. Jadon Sancho
Signed for £73 million, Sancho struggled under Ten Hag’s leadership. The conflict peaked when Ten Hag dropped him for poor training performances, prompting Sancho to retaliate on social media, denying the claims and suggesting he was being scapegoated. This public dissent reportedly angered Ten Hag, and Sancho was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund in January. After an uneasy return, he was again sent out on loan to Chelsea, hinting at lingering discord.
3. Zidane Iqbal
Even younger players like Zidane Iqbal weren’t exempt from Ten Hag’s stern approach. During a pre-season training session in 2022, the Dutch manager was caught on video berating Iqbal with an expletive-laden rant. The promising youngster did not make any competitive first-team appearances that season and had to wait until the following summer for a move to Utrecht.
4. Harry Maguire
Initially a regular in Ten Hag’s lineup, Maguire’s standing deteriorated after losing the captaincy and being placed on the transfer list. Despite attempts to secure a move to West Ham in 2023, the deal fell through, and Maguire remained sidelined. He later acknowledged that the constant speculation about Ten Hag’s future impacted team performance and morale.
5. Anthony Martial
The French forward found himself pushed to the margins when Ten Hag sidelined him from first-team training due to illness rather than injury. Following an extended recovery period and lack of match fitness, Martial was isolated from the main squad. A groin injury and subsequent surgery in early 2024 sealed his fate at United. His contract lapsed, and he moved to AEK Athens that summer.
6. Marcus Rashford
Despite being a key player during Ten Hag’s first season, with 30 goals across competitions, Rashford had his share of issues with the manager. Notably, he was benched for being 45 seconds late to a team meeting before a match against Wolves. Though Rashford voiced his frustration over what he saw as an overreaction, he scored the game-winning goal after being subbed on, proving his worth but underscoring the rift.
7. David de Gea
United’s long-serving goalkeeper faced an abrupt end to his tenure under Ten Hag, who prioritized finding a new shot-stopper. Contract negotiations collapsed in 2023, and De Gea departed on a free transfer, joining Fiorentina the following year.
These clashes painted a picture of a tumultuous reign where relationships frayed, ultimately leading to Ten Hag’s dismissal. Now, with Ruben Amorim stepping in, the club hopes to rebuild both morale and momentum.
