Where does Erik ten Hag rank among Man United managers since Sir Alex Ferguson? From beating Man City in the FA Cup final to the humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool, the highs and lows of the now-sacked Dutchman

Erik ten Hag was given his marching orders earlier this week after two and a half years in charge at Old Trafford, paying the price for Man United’s dismal start to the 2024-2025 Premier League campaign. 

It was United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon the proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the 54-year-old, who was sacked by CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth on Monday.

Ten Hag’s departure will see Ruud van Nistelrooy take charge of the Red Devils – who sit 14th in the Premier League table – on a temporary basis until Ruben Amorim reportedly steps into the managerial role.

But, was the Dutchman’s tenure at the club all doom and gloom? 

Mail Sport take a look at some of Ten Hag’s highs and lows since being appointed at United manager in the summer of 2022. 

While the Red Devils have picked up some trophies under the Dutch manager there have also been some crashing lows 

LOWS

Brentford 4-0 Man United, August 2022

After losing to Brighton in their season opener, Man United aimed to reset against Brentford, only to face a devastating 4-0 loss by halftime with goals from Brentford’s Josh Dasilva, Mathias Jensen, Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo.

This performance left United at the bottom of the Premier League, sparking widespread criticism. The devastating defeat also saw Ten Hag become the first Manchester United manager since John Chapman in 1921 to lose his first two games in charge. 

In a symbolic act, Ten Hag joined the team by running 14km in training the next day. It was said to be the distance Brentford had outrun the Manchester United team during the game. 

Liverpool 7-0 Man United, March 2023

This defeat at Anfield remains a bitter memory for Man United supporters. Despite entering with a comfortable 10 point lead over Liverpool in the league standings and having won their previous meeting, United were humiliated in a 7-0 thrashing. 

The disappointing loss marked the club’s heaviest loss to Liverpool in history. It’s safe to say it wasn’t just a defeat; the game highlighted gaps in United’s defense and resilience that Ten Hag struggled to close. 

Liverpool thrashed Man United 7-0 in their best performance of the 2023 season at Anfield

Man United players collapsed in the second-half as Liverpool stunned the Anfield crowd

Crystal Palace 4-0 Man United, May 2024 

Ten Hag’s second season in charge ended with United finishing eighth in the Premier League, their worst position since 1989-90, which cemented doubts about the team’s direction. 

The 4-0 defeat at Selhurst Park emphasised United’s lack of consistency, leaving fans questioning both the squad and management. The loss represented the missed opportunities and frustrations that had defined much of Ten Hag’s later tenure. 

It also highlight the fact United were being undone by teams that were sharper, fitter and more organised than Ten Hag’s side. A problem that had to be solved… and solved quickly.   

HIGHS 

Man United 2-0 Newcastle, February 2023  

Ten Hag did enjoy moments of success at United. Although brief, they were poignant to his career at Old Trafford. The Dutchman delivered United’s first trophy since 2017 with a Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle. 

Goals from Casemiro and Rashford (deflected off Sven Botman) were enough to secure a 2-0 win. Though not a classic final, it was a significant milestone for the club.

The result also saw Ten Hag become the eighth Manchester United manager to win a major trophy following Ernest Mangall, Sir Matt Busby, Tommy Docherty, Ron Atkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.

Man United 2-1 Barcelona, February 2023

Say what you want about Barcelona over the last couple of years, but United did well to get one over on the LaLiga giants in February 2023. The Catalans were on course to secure another Spanish title at the time of their clash with United. 

But, the Red Devils – despite dropping out of the Champions League into the Europa Leauge – pulled out one of their best performances on the European stage to go through 4-3 on aggregate.

Say what you want about Barcelona over the last couple of years, but United did well to get one over on the LaLiga giants in February 2023

The Red Devils, despite dropping out of the Champions League, pulled out one of their best performances versus Barcelona

Man United 2-1 Man City, May 2024 

One of Ten Hag’s most celebrated victories came in the FA Cup final, where United overcame rivals Manchester City. Goals from young talents Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo underscored the promise of United’s emerging generation, while the tactical outmanoeuvring of Pep Guardiola symbolised one of the Dutchman’s best managerial moments. 

This FA Cup win, especially against Man City, was a high point fans savoured deeply. As one of them, watching it in a pub that was half red and half blue, I will never forget it.

How does Ten Hag rank as United manager?

Before his recent departure, Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United positioned him as one of the more successful post-Ferguson managers. 

With a win rate of 56.25 per cent across competitions, he ranked second among recent United managers, following only Jose Mourinho’s 58.3 per cent. 

Ten Hag and Mourinho stand out as two of only three managers in the last decade to secure trophies for United, alongside Louis van Gaal, who left with an FA Cup victory in 2016 but held a lower win rate of 52.4 per cent.

One of Ten Hag’s most celebrated victories came in the FA Cup final (pictured above), where United overcame rivals Manchester City 

With a win rate of 56.25 per cent across all competitions, he ranked second among recent United managers

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s three-year spell achieved top-four finishes and a second-place league finish, though he did not win silverware

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s three-year spell achieved top-four finishes and a second-place league finish, though he did not win silverware. 

Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick’s brief interim role stands as the least successful, prompting the club to pivot from initial long-term plans involving him. 

Ten Hag’s time may have been mixed, but his trophy win and win percentage placed him near the top among United’s modern managers.