Premier League: Pressure grows on Ten Hag after Spurs hammer United 3-0 at Old Trafford

Sept. 29, 2024, 7:49 p.m.

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Tottenham piled more pressure on Erik ten Hag’s position as Manchester United manager with a dominant 3-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Spurs made a flying start when Brennan Johnson tapped in from Micky Van de Ven’s storming run after three minutes.

Tottenham should have extended their advantage long before United were reduced to 10 men when captain Bruno Fernandes was given a straight red card on 42 minutes.

Dejan Kulusevski finally doubled the visitors lead two minutes into the second half before Dominic Solanke completed the scoring.

Advertisement Ten Hag began the season under pressure after surviving an internal evaluation at the end of last season.

A shock FA Cup final victory over Manchester City was widely credited with saving the former Ajax coach’s job after finishing eighth in the Premier League last season.

A third defeat in United’s first six league games of the new campaign leaves the Red Devils down in 12th and time surely running out for their beleaguered boss.

United faces tough upcoming fixtures, including trips to Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the league next weekend, before a two-week international break, a period often used by clubs to make managerial changes.

“I think we will get better and we need some time,” said Ten Hag.

“We are all on one page, in the same boat, together, ownership, leadership group, staff and players.”

Just over a week ago, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou faced his own set of challenges.

But Spurs have won four games in 12 days and turned in arguably their best performance of the Australian’s reign.

“Outstanding,” said Postecoglou. “I thought we showed real belief and conviction.

“We were aggressive with and without the ball. A fantastic all-round performance.”

Advertisement “An impressive win, but the performance was even better. I thought the team played brilliantly today – I'm incredibly proud of their effort.”

Ange comments on our triumph at Old Trafford! 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/x0vEhxmXmH

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 29, 2024 Van de Ven’s stunning surge from well inside his own half to the United by-line set the tone as his cross left Johnson a simple task to score for the fourth consecutive game.

Advertisement “What I saw in first 30 mins is below the level we can expect from an Manchester United team,” added Ten Hag.

“The players got very stressed after conceding so quick and they made bad decisions.”

Fernandes sees red

Tottenham were without injured captain Son Heung-min and missed the South Korean’s clinical finishing as they tried to kill the game off.

Andre Onana thwarted James Maddison and Timo Werner in one-on-one situations, while Johnson's shot cannoned off the woodwork.

At the other end, Joshua Zirzkee had United’s best chance to equalise when he was denied by a brilliant low save from Guglielmo Vicario.

Any chance of a United comeback was extinguished by a reckless act from their captain.

Advertisement Fernandes lost his footing while attempting a tackle on Maddison but his studs caught the English midfielder.

"It had a big impact."

Erik on Bruno's red card against Spurs ⤵️#MUFC || #MUNTOT

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 29, 2024 Ten Hag responded by sacrificing his only striker in Zirkzee for the much-criticised Casemiro at half-time.

Advertisement The Brazilian was one of those responsible for Tottenham's second goal.

Solanke overpowered Casemiro, allowing Johnson to sprint down the right flank. His deflected cross was expertly redirected past Onana by Kulusevski.

Thereafter the 10 men showed plenty of fight and Casemiro came close to halving United’s deficit.

But more calamitous defending allowed Solanke to slide in Tottenham’s third from a corner.

Solanke had the opportunity to inflict further damage, but Onana denied him with a save during a one-on-one encounter in stoppage time.

The travelling support taunted Ten Hag with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” during the second half.

United’s new football leadership team handed the Dutchman an extension to his contract less than three months ago.

It remains to be seen how rapidly they will reconsider that decision.