Manchester United has finally made the decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag, a move that many observers believe was long overdue. The club's delay in sacking him raises questions about their decision-making process, especially considering they had the chance to make a clean break last summer. Reports indicate that United had already concluded that Ten Hag's tenure was over before the FA Cup final against Manchester City. The outcome of that match was not meant to influence their decision; even a resounding victory was not going to change their minds. After finishing eighth in the league, the club was actively engaging with several potential managerial candidates, and there was no attempt to deny these discussions just a day before the final. The question now for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his executive team is why they chose to prolong the inevitable. By delaying the decision, they may have only compounded the issues facing the club, setting them back further in their quest for stability and success. The time for ruthless decision-making is now, and it remains to be seen how United will move forward from this point.

In a recent analysis, The Guardian's Manchester football correspondent Jamie Jackson delves into the reasons behind Erik ten Hag's dismissal as manager of Manchester United. Despite receiving significant backing from the club during the summer transfer window, Ten Hag's tenure took a downturn as the 2024-2025 season began poorly. The team found itself in a precarious position, sitting closer to the relegation zone than the top four in the league standings. Ten Hag invested £200 million in new players over the summer, yet the signings have failed to make a significant impact on the team's performance. As a result, Ten Hag has struggled to advance the squad, leading to his eventual sacking. The situation highlights the challenges he faced in turning around the fortunes of a club with high expectations.

**Tired of Excuses: Manchester United's Patience with Ten Hag Finally Runs Out** The tipping point for Manchester United came after a disappointing defeat to West Ham, leading the club's hierarchy to part ways with Erik ten Hag. Over the past 14 months, there were numerous occasions when sacking the Dutch manager would have seemed justified. However, the club held on, hoping he could turn the situation around. Ultimately, their patience and willingness to accept excuses came to an end following yet another lackluster performance. The loss at West Ham left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, raising concerns about the possibility of missing out on Champions League football for another season. This defeat marked the third consecutive loss for the team in east London, which proved to be the final straw for the club's senior officials. They convened to discuss the termination of Ten Hag's contract, as confidence in securing a top-four finish had dwindled. While the decision to dismiss him could have been made at various points in recent weeks, the performance against West Ham was particularly telling of the team's struggles. A series of mistakes on the pitch contributed to yet another disappointing result, prompting a unanimous decision from the club's leadership. On Monday, Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth delivered the news to Ten Hag at Carrington, marking the end of his tenure at the club.