Ten Hag has been put in a situation where he is one poor performance away from a crisis and harsh criticism ever since United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the team’s reorganized management ultimately decided to stick with him in the summer.
By that measure, the 54-year-old’s time is running out following a disorganized, inept, and indisciplined United performance that matched any of his previous tenure’s highlights.
The thrilling FA Cup final win over Manchester City last season and the EFL Cup victory eighteen months prior, which essentially kept Ten Hag in it.
Ange Postecoglou, Ten Hag’s Spurs opponent, has also been under scrutiny following a lackluster start to the season. However, Sunday’s 3-0 thumping was a superb step toward recovery and the team’s fourth straight victory since losing the north London derby at home to Arsenal.
In stark contrast, they were united as a rabble, a mess.
As the rain battered thousands of red seats left empty by fans who had bravely stood by their side, the big question hanging over Old Trafford was this: can Ten Hag survive? If so, for what duration?
