Manchester United - Man Utd
Manchester United‘s difficult start to the season has raised concerns about a possible relegation battle. Former manager Erik ten Hag believes the club cannot rule out that possibility after their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea left them just above the bottom three.
United slide towards the relegation zone
United sit 17th in the Premier League with seven points from nine games. They are above Crystal Palace, who occupy the final relegation place, only on goal difference. The result at Chelsea also extended their winless run to nine matches, their longest spell without a victory since 1984.
The latest setback has increased the pressure on current manager Michael Carrick. The club’s board chose to keep him in charge for the trip to Stamford Bridge, despite heavy defeats in the games before it. United had lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.
Those results have left little room for error. United have struggled to turn performances into points, and their position in the table means another poor run could pull them further into trouble. The gap between the teams in the lower half can change quickly, making every upcoming fixture important.
Erik Ten Hag says relegation cannot be ruled out
As reported by Reuters, Ten Hag believes United could be relegated if they fail to stop their slide. The former manager pointed to the overall strength of the Premier League, where even clubs near the bottom have competitive squads and experienced managers.
He explained that a team can find itself in serious difficulty if it gets caught in a cycle of poor results. Once confidence drops and defeats begin to build, it can become difficult to turn things around. Ten Hag warned that United are not protected from that situation simply because of their history or size.
The Dutchman took charge at Old Trafford in 2022 and won both the FA Cup and the League Cup during his time at the club. He was dismissed in 2024. Reflecting on his spell, he also pointed to the trophies United had won under his leadership, noting that the club had gone six years without silverware before his arrival.
Ten Hag has since taken up a role as technical director at FC Twente ahead of the 2026-27 season. His comments come as United face growing questions about their direction and their ability to recover from a difficult start.
Man United’s form in the Premier League this season:
Matches Wins Draws Losses Goals Scored Goals Conceded
9 1 4 4 10 15
Manchester United - Man Utd
United face two important fixtures
There is little time for United to dwell on the Chelsea defeat. They are due to host AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday before returning to domestic football against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The two matches give Carrick an immediate chance to respond, but they also bring different challenges. United need to find a way to stop conceding goals and make better use of their chances. Another setback would increase the pressure on the manager and leave the club’s league position looking even more worrying.
For a club that has spent decades competing near the top of English football, the prospect of relegation would be a major shock. Ten Hag’s warning reflects the seriousness of United’s current position. With only nine matches played, there is still time to recover, but the team cannot afford to let the bad run continue.