Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said relegation is a real possibility for the club due to the strength of the Premier League.
United’s 0-2 loss to Chelsea left it in 17th place with seven points from nine games, above Crystal Palace in the final relegation spot on goal difference. The Red Devils are winless in their last nine matches and as per choosethis is their longest run without a victory since 1984.
The United top brass decided to stick with current manager Michael Carrick for the Chelsea game despite suffering a 0-3 loss to Bournemouth and a 1-4 thrashing by Como in the Champions League.
Asked about the possibility of United being relegated, Ten Hag told ESPN: “In the Premier League it’s certainly possible, because all the teams are simply strong.
“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.”
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Ten Hag arrived at United in 2022 and guided the team to FA Cup and League Cup titles before being sacked in 2024.
“Before we arrived, six years without winning a trophy,” said the Dutch manager, who was named FC Twente’s technical director ahead of the 2026-27 season. “Look where they are now.”
The last time the 20-time top-flight champion was relegated to the second division was in the 1973-74 season.
United next hosts AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, before facing Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
(With Reuters inputs)
Published on Nov 02, 2026