Erik ten Hag SACKED as Man Utd manager with replacement lined up to take over

Erik ten Hag has been sacked as manager of Manchester United, the club have announced.

United are in 14th place in the Premier League after Sunday's 2-1 defeat to West Ham and suffered their worst start to a season since 1989/90.

Pressure on Ten Hag has grown in recent weeks following heavy home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham.

The club have also failed to win any of their three Europa League fixtures, drawing all three matches.

United have now confirmed that Ten Hag has left his role as manager after two years in charge.

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Assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy will take temporary charge of the first team squad while the club's hierarchy search for a replacement.

During his time in charge at Old Trafford, Ten Hag guided his side to success in both domestic cups, with United defeating Manchester City 2-1 to win the FA Cup last season.

That victory was widely seen as a deciding factor in United deciding to keep the Dutchman in his role after a disappointing Premier League campaign.

But the side has failed to significantly improve on last season's performances despite significant investment in the playing squad over the summer.

And Sunday's defeat at West Ham - which occurred as a result of a controversial late penalty being awarded against defender Matthijs de Ligt - proved to be Ten Hag's final match in charge.

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United will now look for the Dutchman's replacement.

While Van Nistelrooy will likely be a candidate to take the role, he has reportedly expressed private doubts over replacing Ten Hag due to his personal relationship with the now former United manager.

Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, is said to have rejected the role in the summer and will become the manager of England from January 1.

And Mauricio Pochettino, who was also linked with the role after leaving Chelsea, has taken up the managerial position with the United States men's national team.

United are in action on Wednesday when they host Leicester in the Carabao Cup fourth round.