Manchester United’s Most Humiliating Games Under Erik ten Hag
As Erik ten Hag exits Manchester United, his tenure will be remembered not just for brief success but for several notorious defeats that brought shame and frustration to one of football’s most storied clubs. The Dutchman took charge with high hopes but often struggled against fierce opponents. Here, we explore the most humiliating defeats that left United fans and pundits in shock, showcasing just how challenging the past two-and-a-half years have been.
Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United - March 5, 2023
The infamous 7-0 defeat to Liverpool in March 2023 stands as one of the most unforgettable losses in United’s history. The Red Devils’ performance at Anfield shattered their confidence and left fans questioning ten Hag's strategy. After a promising start to the season, including a Carabao Cup victory and an impressive win over Barcelona, Manchester United seemed poised to end their Anfield losing streak, last broken in 2016. However, the team faltered when Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo scored just before halftime, swinging momentum firmly in the host's favor.
In a display that seemed to epitomize United’s struggle for consistency, the team crumbled after the break. Key players such as Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, who had shown resilience earlier in the season, struggled to contain Liverpool's unyielding attack. Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Gakpo each scored twice, while Roberto Firmino rounded out the seven-goal rout. It was United’s heaviest defeat since 1931, prompting widespread criticism and leaving fans disheartened. Reflecting on the disastrous performance, former United player Gary Neville described it as "disgraceful," a term often echoed in the media afterward.
Crystal Palace 4-0 Manchester United - May 6, 2024
The 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace in May 2024 was another low point, exposing ten Hag’s challenges with player management and injury-riddled squads. Manchester United entered the match with a depleted lineup, missing key players and fielding unproven teenagers on the bench alongside two backup goalkeepers. Their makeshift backline included a right-back playing out of position and a 14th central pairing of the season, highlighting the ongoing struggle with a lack of defensive stability.
Despite these mitigating factors, United's lackluster performance led to another humiliating defeat. The team conceded four goals, including one gifted by Casemiro, whose errant pass allowed Michael Olise to score, marking one of United's worst defensive displays in years. This devastating loss was particularly notable as United recorded an unwanted Premier League record of 13 defeats in a single campaign. The match left fans in despair and signaled to critics that ten Hag's insistence on an attacking style, despite limited resources, had backfired spectacularly.
Tottenham 3-0 Manchester United - September 29, 2024
September 2024 saw another painful chapter in ten Hag’s tenure when United suffered a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham. Just three minutes into the game, United’s lack of cohesion was evident. Marcus Rashford’s misstep led to Micky van der Ven seizing the opportunity and setting up Brennan Johnson for an easy goal. Despite Tottenham’s control, it was Bruno Fernandes’ behavior that garnered attention; his frustration boiled over in the second half, resulting in a red card for a rash tackle on James Maddison.
performance emphasized their strategic superiority, with an expected goals (xG) of 4.59 according to FotMob, suggesting they could have scored even more. Gary Neville did not hold back in his post-match analysis, remarking, “It was an absolutely disgusting performance in that first half in effort, quality, everything you would want in a football team." United's lack of fight and failure to respond effectively raised further concerns about ten Hag’s tactics and player morale, igniting questions about his leadership.
Brentford 4-0 Manchester United - August 13, 2022
Ten Hag’s introduction to Premier League life could not have been more brutal. After a disappointing opening-day loss to Brighton, United traveled to Brentford, where they suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat, exposing the magnitude of the challenge facing ten Hag. Within the first 35 minutes, Brentford had scored all four goals, leaving the Red Devils in disarray.
David de Gea’s blunder set the tone, as he let a straightforward shot from Josh Dasilva slip past him, followed by a second error in attempting to play out from the back, which handed Mathias Jensen a goal. Brentford capitalized on United's chaotic defense as Ben Mee and Bryan Mbuemo added further misery. Cristiano Ronaldo, visibly frustrated, walked off without acknowledging the fans, a clear sign of the growing discontent within the squad. The loss marked the first time in three decades that United had dropped both of their opening games in a season, underscoring the rocky road that lay ahead for ten Hag.
