Ten Hag: Relegation is a real possibility for Manchester United

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has warned that relegation is a genuine threat for the Red Devils this season, citing the overall strength of the Premier League.

Speaking after United’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday, which left the club 17th with just seven points from nine games, Ten Hag told ESPN that dropping into the bottom three is “certainly possible.”

“In the Premier League it’s certainly possible, because all the teams are simply strong,” the Dutchman 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 sit just above Crystal Palace on goal difference and have gone nine matches without a win in all competitions — their longest such run since 1984, according to Opta. The club’s board retained current manager Michael Carrick for the Stamford Bridge fixture despite a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth and a 4-1 Champions League thrashing at Como.

Ten Hag, who won the FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Old Trafford before his 2024 sacking, pointed to the contrast with the club’s recent past. “Before we arrived, six years without winning a trophy. Look where they are now.”

He has since been appointed technical director at FC Twente ahead of the 2026-27 season.