Erik ten Hag has issued a stark warning to his former club, Manchester United, suggesting they could face relegation from the Premier League this season due to their poor form. The Red Devils currently sit 17th in the league table, just above the relegation zone on goal difference, having secured only one win in their first nine matches.
Their recent 2-0 defeat to Chelsea further intensified pressure on head coach Michael Carrick. Ten Hag, who managed United for over two seasons and won both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, commented on the possibility of relegation.
"In the Premier League it's certainly possible, because all the teams are simply strong," ten Hag told ESPN NL. "They're all strong squads, all good managers. If you end up on the wrong side once and you really get into that vicious circle, then it can become very difficult."
Manchester United face a challenging upcoming schedule, including home matches against Aston Villa and Brentford, and a trip to rivals Liverpool after the international break.
Ten Hag also reiterated his past criticisms of Cristiano Ronaldo, stating that the player's career was effectively over by the time he joined Juventus. "Every top team must embrace the top player, but the top player must also make way for the team. That was simply the problem with Ronaldo," ten Hag told ESPN. "He belongs among the greats of the world. But the reality is also that he hasn't been able to deliver for the last seven or eight years. From Juventus onwards, it was simply over."