Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has warned that relegation is a real possibility for the club after their 2-0 defeat by Chelsea left them 17th in the Premier League.
United have collected seven points from nine matches and sit above the relegation zone only on goal difference, with Crystal Palace occupying the final place in the bottom three. They are also without a win in their last nine matches, their longest such run since 1984, according to Opta.
Asked whether United could suffer relegation for the first time in more than half a century, Ten Hag told ESPN that the strength of the Premier League made it possible.
“In the Premier League it’s certainly possible, because all the teams are simply strong,” he said.
“They’re all strong squads, all good managers. And if you end up on the wrong side once and you really get into that vicious circle, yes, then it can become very, very difficult.”
United’s latest defeat came at Chelsea on Saturday, adding to a difficult run that included a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth and a 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League. The club’s board had decided to keep Michael Carrick in charge for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Ten Hag managed United from 2022 until his dismissal in 2024. He won the FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Old Trafford, ending a six-year period without a trophy before his arrival.
“Before we arrived, six years without winning a trophy,” Ten Hag said. “Look where they are now.”
The Dutchman was appointed FC Twente’s technical director ahead of the 2026-27 season.
United have little time to recover, with AS Roma visiting Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday before a Premier League trip to Aston Villa next Sunday.
