Louis Saha believes Manchester United will have no choice but to sack Erik ten Hag if they lose to Southampton on Saturday. Despite winning the FA Cup last season, Ten Hag is under immense pressure following United’s poor start to the current campaign.
The Red Devils narrowly beat Fulham 1-0 in their opening game, but have since suffered a loss to Brighton and a humiliating defeat at home to Liverpool. With United set to face Southampton, who have lost all three of their Premier League games so far, Saha insists a defeat could make Ten Hag’s position untenable.
Speaking to Betfred, Saha said, “I think so. Against Liverpool, the issue was the performance rather than just the result, so Erik’s under pressure because the team isn’t playing well. There were no signs during the game that things were going to be fixed.”
Saha warned that if Southampton dominate United in the same way Liverpool did, it would be a critical blow to Ten Hag’s job security. He stressed the importance of having a clear philosophy and game plan that the players understand and can execute: “You need to find different ways to beat the best sides… but your philosophy really has to always be in line with a foundation that the players can really understand.”
The former United striker pointed to the tactical failures in the recent Liverpool match, where Erik ten Hag’s strategies were dismantled by Arne Slot’s team. “At the moment, it’s not about personalities, it’s about seeing a plan that the players can identify with and cause damage with.”
Saha concluded by highlighting the frustration from fans and pundits alike, who are struggling to see a coherent game plan from United: “Currently, we can’t identify a clear game plan and that’s why Erik’s being criticised. Things need to improve.”
As United head into this critical fixture against Southampton, Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford may hinge on securing a victory.
