Chris Sutton: Man United’s Defeat by Spurs Could Lead to Manager Sacking

Chris Sutton claimed Erik ten Hag’s days at Man United could be numbered after their defeat to Tottenham.

United entered the clash at Old Trafford desperate to build some momentum after a being forced to settle for a lethargic draw with Dutch side FC Twente in midweek.

Those hopes would quickly be dashed however, as Spurs raced into an early lead after Brennan Johnson tapped in from close range following a blitzing run from Micky van de Ven.

Bruno Fernandes would see red on the brink of half time for the first time in his four years at the club before second half goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke condemned the hosts to a humiliating defeat.

Speaking following the game Ten Hag insisted Fernandes’ sending off had ‘changed everything’ for his side and added that he felt the referee’s decision to send his captain off was unjust.

United were comprehensively defeated at Old Trafford as Ange Postecoglou’s side ran riot

Sutton also rejected Ten Hag’s claim that Bruno Fernandes’ sending off was a turning point in the game

However, former Chelsea and Blackburn striker Sutton took aim at the Dutchman’s comments, and criticised the players giving fans a lap of honour after the full-time whistle.

‘Ten Hag has verbal diarrhoea.’ Sutton said on BBC 5 Live.

‘I don’t know what game he was watching. The lap at the end is a lap for losers. Qarabag gave Tottenham a better game on Thursday night than Manchester United did today. 

‘That’s the type of performance which gets the manager the sack.’

Ten Hag narrowly avoided losing his job this summer, with United’s Ineos ownership reportedly searching for potential successors after the club slumped to their all-time worst Premier League finish last season.

However, the owners ultimately opted to extend his spell in charge, with an FA Cup victory over rivals Manchester City seemingly swaying the decision in his favour.

United have won just two of their opening six Premier league games and sit 12th in the table

After Sunday’s result Jamie Redknapp insisted that decision could ultimately prove to be little more than a stay of execution, with Ten Hag’s position at the club appearing increasingly tenuous.

‘When your club are actively looking for another manager, you’re in a massively untenable position because the players know that you’re not the man,’ Redknapp said on Sky Sports. 

‘You cannot keep the manager after looking for other managers.

‘They’re playing like they’re lost. The players that they’ve brought in don’t look right. 

‘This club has a DNA of attacking. I see too many players not putting that extra effort in. This club is not built like that.

‘I don’t see how he can keep his job with these performances. I don’t know how he can turn it around. 

Sutton added that Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag had provided a sterner test for Tottenham

‘I know he won two trophies last year but I don’t know how he can take them forward, but I don’t know who is.

‘They’ve scored five goals in six games, Man United. This is a graveyard for great players. Anyone that comes here just goes downhill. Everyone is so devoid of confidence and belief.’