Manchester United struggles have taken another worrying turn, with former manager Erik ten Hag admitting that relegation from the Premier League is a genuine possibility if the club cannot reverse its poor form.
The Red Devils are facing a difficult period after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The result left Michael Carrick’s side sitting 17th in the Premier League table, just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
With Aston Villa and Liverpool coming up in their next two league fixtures, the pressure is increasing. Ten Hag believes that Manchester United cannot afford to let their current situation develop into a prolonged negative run.
Erik ten Hag Says Manchester United Relegation Is Possible
Ten Hag has warned that even a club with Manchester United’s history and resources cannot consider itself safe from relegation.
Speaking to ESPN NL on the Goedemorgen Eredivisie programme, the former United manager explained that the Premier League is extremely competitive. Every team has capable players and experienced coaches, making it difficult to recover once results begin to go against them.
“Of course, it is possible in the Premier League because all the teams are strong,” Ten Hag said.
He added that a team can find itself in serious trouble if it enters a negative cycle and struggles to break out of it.
“All teams have strong squads and good coaches. If you find yourself on the wrong side once and really get caught in a negative cycle, then the situation can become very, very difficult,” he continued.
His comments reflect the challenge currently facing Manchester United. Although there is still time to improve their position before the end of the season, their place near the bottom of the table has made the threat of relegation a serious talking point.
Manchester United Sitting Just Above the Relegation Zone
Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea was another setback in a season that has not gone according to plan.
The defeat pushed Carrick’s team down to 17th place in the Premier League standings. Their position is particularly concerning because they are separated from the relegation zone only by goal difference.
Their next two league matches will also provide a major test. United are scheduled to face Aston Villa before taking on Liverpool.
Dropping more points in those fixtures could make their position even more difficult and increase the pressure surrounding the team.
For Manchester United, the immediate priority is to find greater consistency and collect points. The Premier League table can change quickly, especially when teams near the bottom are competing for survival.
United Have Not Been Relegated Since 1974
The possibility of relegation is especially significant because Manchester United have not dropped out of England’s top division since 1974.
For a club with such a long history at the highest level, returning to the lower division would represent a major moment.
The current situation is therefore attracting attention beyond the club’s immediate results. United still have matches remaining to change their position, but their narrow advantage over the relegation places leaves little room for further mistakes.
The upcoming games against Aston Villa and Liverpool could prove important in determining whether Carrick’s side can begin moving away from danger.
However, Ten Hag’s warning serves as a reminder that reputation alone offers no protection in a competitive league.
Erik ten Hag Reflects on His Manchester United Achievements
During the same interview, Ten Hag also looked back on his time in charge at Old Trafford.
The Dutch manager took over Manchester United in April 2022 and remained in the role until November 2024, when he was dismissed.
His first season brought a third-place finish in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup trophy in the 2022/23 campaign. United also won the FA Cup the following season.
Ten Hag believes his achievements deserve recognition, particularly considering the club had gone six years without winning a major trophy before his arrival.
“I think we did quite well with United. In fact, I think we did more than well enough. We could not have done better,” he said.
He also pointed to the team’s appearances at Wembley, their two FA Cup finals, and the trophies they won during his time at the club.
“Before we arrived, they had not won a trophy for six years. Look at where they are now. We played at Wembley six times, played two FA Cup finals, won two trophies and finished third. We also played some very good football at times,” Ten Hag added.
His comments offer his perspective on a period that included both silverware and difficult spells at Manchester United.
Ten Hag Highlights the Difficulty of the Premier League
Ten Hag did not suggest that his own time at Manchester United was without problems. He acknowledged that the team experienced difficult periods during his tenure.
However, he believes the strength of the Premier League makes those difficult moments particularly challenging.
With strong squads and quality coaching across the competition, teams must maintain their standards throughout the season. A decline in form can quickly become a bigger problem if results do not improve.
“We also had difficult periods. But the Premier League is very strong. When you go through a difficult spell, that is when you really face problems,” he explained.
Ten Hag has since left English football and taken up the role of technical director at Dutch club FC Twente.
Meanwhile, Manchester United remain focused on improving their league position under Carrick. Their upcoming matches will be important as they attempt to move away from the relegation zone.
For now, Ten Hag’s message is clear: relegation may seem unlikely for a club of United’s stature, but it cannot be ruled out if their poor run continues.
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