Manchester United Sacks Erik ten Hag, Appoints Ruud Van Nistelrooy As Interim Boss

Manchester United has dismissed manager Erik Ten Hag with immediate effect after a disappointing start to the season.

Following a 1-0 loss to West Ham on Sunday, Man United now sits in 14th place, with just one win out of their last eight matches across all competitions.

Erik Ten Hag, who had his contract extended over the summer, managed only four wins in 13 games this season.

Former United striker and Dutch international, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was appointed as Ten Hag’s assistant in July, has been named interim manager and will lead the team for the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Leicester City on Wednesday.

Manchester United’s board described the decision to part ways with Ten Hag as “challenging and finely balanced,” especially given the club’s investment of over £600 million in transfers under his leadership.

A club statement read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”

United added Van Nistelrooy would now serve as interim manager “whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Erik Ten Hag’s departure comes amid United’s worst start to a top-flight season since 1989/90, adding to growing frustrations.

Despite an eighth-place finish last season, co-owner Jim Ratcliffe had backed Ten Hag, and he was even awarded a contract extension to 2026 after leading United to an unexpected FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May.

Ten Hag, who joined the club in May 2022, had defended his record, having ended United’s six-year trophy drought with a League Cup win over Newcastle in 2023. However, he ultimately couldn’t resolve the ongoing issues from last season.

KanyiDaily recalls that in 2023, Manchester United was considering Ruben Amorim and Zinedine Zidane to replace Erik ten Hag.