United sack manager Ten Hag

Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag in what the club said was a unanimous decision, with the team languishing 14th in the Premier League table after nine games and showing no sign they are on a path back to former glory.

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United assistant manager and ex-striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over on an interim basis at Old Trafford while they search for a new manager, the club said in a statement.

Van Nistelrooy tops the list of favourites to permanently replace Ten Hag, which also includes former Barcelona boss Xavi, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna.

Appointed in April 2022, Ten Hag led United to two domestic trophies — the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

But the 54-year-old’s job was the subject of speculation most of last season as United suffered a worst-ever eighth place Premier League finish and exited the Champions League at the group stage and the Dutchman was again in the hot seat.

“I don’t think anyone will be truly shocked,” former United defender turned pundit Gary Neville said, with United having had eight managers since Alex Ferguson retired.

Their terrible start to this season has come despite more than £600 million being spent on new players since Ten Hag took charge ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.