Manchester United have dismissed Erik ten Hag following Sunday's 2-1 loss to West Ham, marking one of the club's poorest starts to a Premier League season. United have secured just one victory in their last five league matches and currently sit 14th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone, having scored only eight goals in nine league games.

It was believed that Ten Hag needed to win at least one of last week's matches against Fenerbahce in the Europa League or West Ham. United managed a 1-1 draw against José Mourinho's team in Turkey, but the result on Sunday ultimately led to his dismissal. This decision is the most significant move made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his associates since his company Ineos acquired a minority stake.

United concluded last season in eighth place in the Premier League, their lowest finish since 1990, and have begun this campaign with four wins from 13 matches across all competitions. In early September, United's chief executive, Omar Berrada, and sporting director, Dan Ashworth, publicly expressed their support for Ten Hag. However, just three days later, the Guardian reported that his 'game model' was under scrutiny.

Ten Hag faced considerable pressure at the end of last season but managed to secure victory against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, retaining his position after United held discussions with several candidates. These included Thomas Tuchel, who withdrew his candidacy and later became the coach of the England national team. Other potential replacements include Brentford's Thomas Frank and former England manager Gareth Southgate.

Ten Hag departed Ajax to take over from interim manager Ralf Rangnick at United for the 2022-23 season. The Dutchman was initially contracted until June 2025, with an option to extend for an additional year, which was exercised this summer in a brief show of support from Ratcliffe. United finished third, 14 points behind the top, in Ten Hag's inaugural campaign and won the Carabao Cup, defeating Newcastle in the final.

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