Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that relegation from the Premier League is a genuine possibility for his old club amid their alarming start to the season.
The Red Devils find themselves 17th in the table with just seven points from their opening nine matches, sitting outside the relegation zone on goal difference following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United relegation is possible
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Speaking in an interview with ESPN Netherlands (quotes shared by Fabrizio Romano), Ten Hag was asked whether Manchester United could realistically find themselves fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The former United boss acknowledged that the possibility could not be dismissed, pointing towards the competitive nature of English football.
He said:
“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.”
? Erik ten Hag when asked by @ESPNnl if Man United relegation is a potential scenario: “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… pic.twitter.com/BdixMfFKJf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2026
Michael Carrick needs to turn the season around fast
Ten Hag’s chilling assessment comes as current manager Michael Carrick faces overwhelming pressure at Old Trafford.
Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge extended United’s winless run across all competitions to nine matches—their longest slump since 1984.
The result leaves the Red Devils sitting in 17th place with just seven points from nine games, sitting outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
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