Following Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is coming under growing pressure to be fired, with a crucial first-team member allegedly having a say in his future.
Manchester United hasn’t shown many indications of improvement in the first six games of the 2024–25 season, with Ten Hag’s team currently sitting 12th in the Premier League with just seven points.
This has increased the strain on the Dutch manager, whose survival now depends on the performance of important members of his squad. But given recent happenings at the team, one very important player may have already played his final game under Ten Hag.
Ten Hag’s future is mostly dependent on Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
The impact Bruno Fernandes has at Old Trafford will likely determine whether or if Ten Hag stays on as Manchester United’s manager after the forthcoming international break, according to Football Insider.
Marcus Rashford is reportedly another well-known person who officials will speak with within the next few days. Fernandes may have a significant impact on the Dutchman’s future, but it won’t happen on the pitch.
This is because of the Portuguese midfielder’s three-match suspension in the English Premier League, which means Ten Hag may have been his final game in the league. He will miss Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham, as well as travels to Aston Villa and West Ham, in addition to a home game against Brentford before the end of October, because of the straight red card he received.
Ten Hag may have left Old Trafford before Fernandes’ return because the next international break is scheduled for the week beginning on October 7. Though they will be trying to salvage some much-needed points following a draw with FC Twente in their opening game, the 28-year-old will probably still participate in their Europa League matches against Porto and Fenerbahce during that period.
Concerning has also been Fernandes’ recent performance under Ten Hag. Although he has already recorded three assists this season, two of those came during their 7-0 League Cup thumping of Barnsley, a League One team. The 28-year-old hasn’t scored for Manchester United since their 4-2 victory against Sheffield United at Old Trafford in April of last year.
Rashford, on the other hand, was controversially left out of the starting lineup chosen for last week’s match at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. He did make a comeback against Spurs, but the Red Devils’ 3-0 loss ultimately proved to be disastrous.
