Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is at stake in the next two matches | Manchester United

Erik ten Hag will remain manager of Manchester United for Thursday’s visit to Porto and Sunday’s visit to Aston Villa, with the club’s manager ‘calm’ about his position despite Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham .

The reverse at Old Trafford leaves United twelfth in the Premier League with seven points from six games and a goal difference of -3, having scored just five times. Sunday’s result marked a second successive 3-0 home league defeat, following the capitulation against Liverpool on September 1.

This has increased attention to Ten Hag’s position at United. Yet more than one senior source at the club has told The Guardian that the Dutchman is expected to be in charge for at least the next two games.

The mood was characterized as calm, although it is accepted that this is a “big week” for Ten Hag as he looks to turn his side’s form around. That suggests losses in one or both matches could lead to his removal, especially if the manner of the defeat is again alarming.

United have failed to win their last three games and have won just three of eight games in all competitions this season. The loss to Spurs was a particular concern as the first two goals, from Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski, were the result of a lack of form and resistance from United’s midfield and defence. The same problem led to Twente’s equalizer in the 1-1 draw in the Europa League four days earlier at Old Trafford.

It all points to the lack of a clear game plan. After the loss to Liverpool, The Guardian reported that Ten Hag’s playing model was under scrutiny in relation to his long-term job security.

The Dutchman, who signed a new contract in the summer until July 2026, was asked after Sunday’s match whether he was concerned that United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led football department could decide a change of manager is needed. “I don’t think about this,” he said. “We all made the decision in the summer to stay together, as an owner, as a leadership group. We have also made a decision based on a clear evaluation on what we need to improve and how we want to put together a team. But we knew it would take some time, given the period when some players arrived late, such as (Manuel) Ugarte.

“We also need to make some improvements in the (overarching) organization, we still have some injuries, we need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat, the owner, the staff and the players. I don’t have those concerns.”