Erik ten Hag sack verdict delivered as Man United given clear instruction before Porto

Manchester Evening News readers believe that time is up for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and the Dutchman should be dismissed following the 3-0 defeat against Tottenham. United were thrashed at Old Trafford on Sunday courtesy of goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke.

The result moved United down to 13th in the Premier League table, having won just two of their opening six matches. Alongside this, Ten Hag's side were also held to a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in their Europa League opener last Wednesday and the pressure is rising on the ex-Ajax boss.

Although United have insisted that the focus is firmly on Thursday's trip to Porto rather than Ten Hag's immediate future, there has been questions over his position. United have two away fixtures - the last of which is a trip to Aston Villa - before the next international break and it does feel like an important time for Ten Hag.

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In the meantime, we have asked MEN readers in the aftermath of the defeat at home to Spurs whether it was time for the club to sack Ten Hag, and the results were emphatic from over 10,000 votes cast in our poll.

Of the 10,134 votes cast as of Tuesday afternoon, 85 per cent of MEN readers felt it was time for United to give Ten Hag his marching orders, with just 15 per cent backing the Dutchman to remain in his post.‌

• 10,134 votes
• Yes - He has had long enough: 8,642 | 85%
• No - United should give him more time: 1,492 | 15%

Speaking after the defeat to Spurs, Ten Hag said: "It was clear we started the game very poor. After we concede the goal like we did in the third minute, and you are actually outnumbering [the opposition], and then concede a goal from a counter-attack where a centre-half is crossing the whole pitch and then bring, on the goalline, a cross in and then on the back post tapping in. That was our game plan; we should protect that area very good in your best defence in the defensive transition, because we knew the strength and from that point on, we are very stressful in the game and in possession, we didn’t find the spare man in the switch, bad decision-making.

"We couldn’t keep the ball, not aggressive enough or to play around with third-man actions, too many ball losses and also we didn’t get the press right.

"First 20 minutes was no good but we were still alive and we also had our chances with Zirkzee, with Garnacho hitting the post, then you can always come back. But then the red card, then we are downsized and it also has a big impact in the game."

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