Erik ten Hag says Manchester United could be relegated

Manchester United have won just one of their games in the Premier League this season – against Ipswich Town in August.

Fast-forward to November and the Red Devils sit in 17th in the table. Only goal difference is keeping them out of the relegation spots, with Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland the three sides below.

United have never experienced being in the Premier League relegation zone this far into a season, which makes their game next weekend against Aston Villa huge as they bid to stay out.

Head coach Michael Carrick is also fighting for his job, with discussions set to take place over his future after that crunch game at Old Trafford.

While things were sometimes bad under predecessor to Ruben Amorim, Erik ten Hag, they were never this poor.

Ten Hag was asked about United’s current situation on ESPN Netherlands‘ Goedemorgen Eredivisie programme, while he sits in his current position as technical director at Dutch side FC Twente.

Quizzed if he sees United being relegated as a possible scenario come May, Ten Hag 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.”

Nothing can be ruled out with the situation at present.

Under Amorim in 2024/25, Manchester United finished 15th in the table with a tally of just 42 points, their lowest final position since 1989/90.

Now under club legend Carrick, they are flatlining to a new extreme – an exceptional drop-off considering their form at the end of last season.

Despite rejuvenating their midfield with a trio of signings worth £170 million in the summer, the Red Devils are stuck for inspiration.

Some may laugh at Erik ten Hag’s claim that United being relegated is “certainly possible”, but with newly-promoted sides starting their seasons better than them, things could begin to get rather uncomfortable.