Happy to be back, Erik? Ten Hag returns to his favourite Manchester restaurant just three weeks after his brutal sacking – on the day his successor Ruben Amorim takes training for the first time

Erik ten Hag was spotted at his favourite restaurant in Manchester on Monday, just three weeks after being sacked by Man United.

The Dutchman, whose two-and-a-half year spell as Manchester United manager was brutally brought to an end after the Red Devils’ 2-1 defeat against West Ham last month, swiftly left the UK on a private flight to the Netherlands just hours after his sacking.

Since Ten Hag’s exit, club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw an undefeated spell as interim manager ahead of Ruben Amorim‘s eagerly-anticipated arrival in Manchester.

Ten Hag, 54, was joined by his wife Bianca for a meal at his favourite restaurant Piccolino’s in Hale Village. It is believed the couple were clearing out possessions at their nearby mansion earlier that day.

Amorim, who started work at United last week, also took training at Carrington for the first time on Monday. 

The highly-rated Portuguese coach did not have a full squad of first-team players to work with because many of his top stars were on international duty.

The Dutchman sat down for a meal at his favourite restaurant in Manchester on Monday night

He was joined by his wife Bianca, after clearing out his possessions at their nearby mansion

However, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro all took part in Monday’s session.

During the session, Amorim appeared to select his strongest available team against a young opposition.

Amorim used a 3-4-3 formation during the majority of his 231 games in charge of Sporting and it appears as though he is keen to stick with that system.

His first test will be an away trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on Sunday as the Premier League returns following the final international break of the calendar year.

One of Amorim’s first decisions as Red Devils boss was cutting Van Nistelrooy from his coaching staff. 

The former United striker, who was Ten Hag’s No 2 before becoming interim boss, had hoped to remain at Old Trafford under Amorim but was considered surplus to requirements by the Portuguese.

Upon sacking Ten Hag last month, the Red Devils released a statement which 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.

New manager Ruben Amorim took charge of his first Man United training session on Monday

Amorim, 39, appeared to be in a good mood as he oversaw Monday’s session at Carrington

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

It is understood that the decision by United’s leadership team was collective and unanimous, even though sources say it was ‘a difficult and finely balanced’ one.

Despite winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his two seasons at Old Trafford, Ten Hag finished eighth in the Premier League last term with a negative goal difference.

He was given the chance to work within a new structure after Omar Berrada was appointed as chief executive in the summer alongside new sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

His backroom staff was also overhauled with Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake coming in as his assistants to replace Steve McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag.

However, results and performances did not improve as United won just three of their opening nine Premier League fixtures and also dropped to 21st in the Europa League without a victory in three games. 

More to follow.