Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, is finding himself under increasing scrutiny following his team’s latest Premier League defeat, a 2-1 loss to West Ham United. The match on Sunday saw United drop points again, a setback that adds to their already challenging season and raises further questions about ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford.
United initially managed to keep pace, responding well to West Ham’s opener, a goal by Crysencio Summerville. Casemiro stepped up to level the game soon after, but in a blow to United’s comeback efforts, Matthijs de Ligt’s foul in the penalty area proved costly.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen converted the ensuing penalty in the dying minutes, securing a dramatic late win for the Hammers. This result comes at a crucial time for both teams, who have both struggled in the league this season and are eager to improve their positions in the standings.
United had a promising start, with Alejandro Garnacho nearly scoring, as his effort hit the post. They also created several opportunities in the first half, with Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, and Diogo Dalot all testing West Ham’s defense.
However, despite their persistence, United’s attacking efforts fell short. Ten Hag opted to replace Rashford with Amad Diallo just before the hour mark, hoping for fresh energy in attack, but instead, it was West Ham who capitalized first. Summerville broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, putting United on the back foot as they sought an equalizer.
Casemiro responded just seven minutes later, heading in a cross from Joshua Zirkzee to bring United back on level terms. However, their relief was short-lived.
A VAR check led the referee to penalize de Ligt for a late challenge, giving Bowen the chance to convert from the spot. Bowen’s successful penalty in the 92nd minute sealed the match, leaving United to reflect on another missed opportunity and continuing their inconsistent start to the season.
This defeat has put ten Hag in an increasingly precarious position. Rumors have already emerged suggesting that United’s board is considering potential replacements, with names like Xavi Hernandez reportedly in the mix.
For ten Hag, each game feels like a test, and another underwhelming performance has only fueled speculation about his future at the club. Key players, including Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, have been criticized for their recent form, with many wondering if the current system under ten Hag is getting the best out of them.
As for Bowen, his calmness under pressure to score the match-winning penalty has highlighted his reliability, even amid West Ham’s uneven season. His performance against United, particularly in those high-stakes moments, secured him the title of Player of the Match.
For United, however, the questions remain. With another disappointing loss added to their record, fans and analysts alike are questioning how long ten Hag can withstand the mounting pressure.
