Erik ten Hag is coming under increasingly scrutiny as Manchester United boss, but is it justified? The numbers suggest not.
The Dutch boss took charge of the Red Devils in the summer of 2022 and immediately earned the respect of the first team squad by coming out on top in a battle of wills with Cristiano Ronaldo who left the club for Al Nassr.
He also disciplined Marcus Rashford for turning up late for training, setting the levels of discipline needed to thrive at a club like the Red Devils.
Those standards translated to results on the pitch too, with Man United finishing third in the Premier League, finishing as runners up in the FA Cup and winning the Carabao Cup in his first campaign at the club.
However Ten Hag is now feeling the pressure after a slow start to the campaign which has seen Man United lose four of their last six matches.
While Man United are currently sitting 10th in the Premier League, Ten Hag’s record so far at Old Trafford is among the best of the six longest-serving managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit in 2013.
Ten Hag has taken charge of 45 Premier League matches so far, giving him a win percentage of 57.78.
That’s better than Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, Luis van Gaal and David Moyes.
While it was Rangnick who sat in the hotseat before Ten Hag, Solskjaer was Man United’s last long-term manager to enjoy any sort of success.
But with a deeper dive, Ten Hag’s record is still significantly better than the Norwegian club legend.
3
3
Since taking charge, Ten Hag has led Manchester United in 72 matches in all competitions.
In that time, United have won 46 matches, drawn eight and lost 18 along the way.
The Red Devils have also scored 130 goals under Ten Hag, conceding 87 in the process.
He has also won two Premier League manager of the month awards.
Erik ten Hag’s first 72 matches at Man United
Erik ten Hag’s first 72 matches at Man United
Matches 72
Won 46
Drawn 8
Lost 18
Scored 130
Conceded 87
MOTM 2
Trophies: One (Carabao Cup, 2023)
Crucially, Ten Hag has also won a trophy inside his first full season at the club, prospering in the Carabao Cup after seeing off Newcastle United at Wembley in February.
That trophy was something that Solskjaer didn’t manage in his first 72 games – or the rest of his Man United reign, for that matter.
Solskjaer’s United won 38 of their first 72 under the Norwegian, eight fewer than Ten Hag’s side.
They also drew and lost more matches than the Dutchman’s current side, as well as scoring six goals fewer.
Ole Gunnar Solkjaer’s first 72 matches at Man United
Ole Gunnar Solkjaer’s first 72 matches at Man United
Played 72
Won 38
Drawn 15
Lost 19
Goals 124
Conceded 76
MOTM – 1
Trophies: 0
However Solskjaer’s side did have a stronger defence, conceding 11 goals less than the Dutchman’s side, even if he did only win one manager of the month award.
Solskjaer’s reign was renowned as a period of stability following the turbulent time that Mourinho spent at the club, meaning that success in the way of trophies wasn’t seen as the top priority.
But it does show that Ten Hag’s side, while they may not be firing right now, are doing significantly better than many of his predecessors.
It remains to be seen if the Dutch boss will be given the time to turn things around, but there’s no arguing that things are looking more positive under Ten Hag than they have in many years.
Manchester United’s clash with Brentford is exclusively live on talkSPORT 2 from 3pm Saturday.
talkSPORT football match centre
Keep up-to-date with all the latest Manchester United fixtures and results and live Premier League standings in our new match centre.