By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:03 | Updated at 2024-11-06 05:35:26
1 week ago
It's been a long time coming but Erik ten Hag has finally been ousted from the Manchester United hot seat.
The Dutchman was dismissed after Sunday's late and controversial defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League, with performances and results having been sub-par for over a year. Legendary former Man Utd striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over on an interim basis after being appointed Ten Hag's assistant manager back in July.
Defeat at the London Stadium has left Man Utd languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, while they have also stumbled to three successive draws at the beginning of their Europa League campaign. It was only a matter of time before Ten Hag finally got the chop.
How long Van Nistelrooy finds himself in the Old Trafford dugout remains to be seen, with speculation over Ten Hag's permanent successor likely to ramp up in the coming days. The former PSV Eindhoven manager has the chance to stake his claim for the position with some favourable upcoming fixtures for the Red Devils.
Here are Man Utd's next six opponents in all competitions.
Man Utd have reached the fourth round of the Carabao Cup / Stu Forster/GettyImages
Man Utd's first encounter without Ten Hag since May 2022 takes place on Wednesday evening as the Red Devils welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup - one of two competitions the club won under Ten Hag.
Man Utd beat Barnsley 7-0 in the third round - their only fixture in the competition so far - and will be hopeful of progressing to the quarter-final regardless of performance. It's a first opportunity for Van Nistelrooy to impress the club's hierarchy.
Manchester United vs Chelsea - Premier League
Man Utd have drawn five of their last eight against Chelsea / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Two home games on the bounce ushers in the post-Ten Hag era but Chelsea promise to be extremely challenging opponents for the Red Devils next Sunday. The Blues are in encouraging form and find themselves fifth in the table, with the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson in confident mood.
Man Utd won this exact fixture 2-1 last season against Mauricio Pochettino's Blues but the clash at Stamford Bridge was symptomatic of Ten Hag's tenure. The Red Devils were 3-2 up heading into stoppage time but conceded goals in the 100th and 101st minute to lose the game 4-3.
Man Utd haven't won in Europe this term / Diogo Cardoso/GettyImages
Man Utd's Europa League results and displays have underwhelmed this season and they have drawn their opening three encounters of the recently reformatted league phase. FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce have all taken points off the Red Devils, who currently sit 21st in the 36-team league table.
Their next opportunity to secure a maiden European win in 2024/25 comes at home to Greek side PAOK, whom themselves are without a win in the competition to date. Anything but victory against the Thessaloniki outfit would be disastrous.
Manchester United vs Leicester City - Premier League
A second meeting with Leicester since Ten Hag's sacking / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages
Man Utd's second meeting with Leicester in the space of two weeks comes again at Old Trafford on 10 November in the Premier League - a fourth successive home fixture for the Red Devils. Their final outing before the November international break, United will be desperate to avoid another slip-up on their own turf.
The Red Devils will know exactly what Steve Cooper's side are about having played them in the Carabao Cup but will they be able to break down the Foxes' stubborn low block?
Kieran McKenna was a candidate to replace Ten Hag last summer / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages
Man Utd haven't faced Ipswich in the Premier League since 2002 but they know that this trip to Portman Road will be rather different. In their first match after the international period, the Red Devils will be eager to avoid embarrassment at the newly-promoted Tractor Boys.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was under consideration to replace Ten Hag last summer and may be among the names spoken about for the post now that it's finally vacant.
Manchester United vs Bodo/Glimt - Europa League
Bodo/Glimt are now European regulars / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
Man Utd's final November outing sees them tackle unfamiliar foes in Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. The two teams have unsurprisingly never locked horns in a competitive fixture previously and a trip to Old Trafford promises to be one of the biggest games in the Scandinavian club's history.
Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho was once thrashed 6-1 by Bodo/Glimt during his time in charge of Roma and given the Red Devils' current form, this is not a clash to be taken lightly.
