Manchester United sack Erik Ten Hag with six frontrunners tipped to face Rangers

Manchester United have sacked manager Erik Ten Hag ahead of Rangers’ Europa League trip to Old Trafford in January.

The Dutch manager, 54, had been in charge at Old Trafford since the summer of 2022 after being recruited from Eredivisie giants Ajax.

The sacking comes in the aftermath of a disastrous start to the season for Erik Ten Hag, with United sitting 14th in the Premier League after this weekend’s late 2-1 defeat to West Ham.

With Rangers manager Philippe Clement now set to face off against a different opponent in the Manchester United dugout come January, Ibrox attentions will be focused on the Red Devils’ next appointment.

Rangers are scheduled to play Manchester United at Old Trafford on match day seven of the revamped Europa League group stage at 8pm on Thursday 23rd January.

Man United sack Erik Ten Hag
Manchester United have released a statement confirming the sacking of Erik Ten Hag on their official website.

In it, the Red Devils do not go into detail surrounding Ten Hag’s exit and simply say that the Dutchman has left his role as manager.

It comes with Manchester United winning only three and losing four of their nine Premier League matches this season, with Ten Hag’s team also drawing all three of their opening Europa League games.

The Red Devils are still in the EFL Cup with a Round of 16 clash against Leicester City to come on Wednesday evening (30/10).

Legendary Manchester United striker and first-team coach Ruud van Nistelrooy will take temporary charge of the team.

The statement reads:

“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Six names who could face Rangers in Europa League
The question on everyone’s lips is now, ‘who comes in to replace Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United?’

Rangers might’ve been keen for the Dutchman to continue in his post given United’s stuttering Europa League form, with the situation presenting a fresh challenge to Philippe Clement.

Interim boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy was in charge of PSV Eindhoven when Rangers defeated the Eredivisie side in the 22/23 Champions League Playoff.

But the United statement appears to hint at the club pursuing a different target, although nothing can be ruled out at this stage.

There is plenty of chatter about who could come in to replace Ten Hag but including Van Nistelrooy there are no fewer than six names topping the list.

Former England manager Gareth Southgate is heavily involved in the speculation, whilst Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is another name routinely mentioned.

Other names include Brentford manager Thomas Frank, Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez and ex-United midfielder turned Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick.