Erik Ten Hag’s Final Year at Manchester United (November 2024 – October 2024 Sacking)
Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United ended on October 28, 2024, after a dismal start to the 2024-25 Premier League season. His final 12 months, spanning November 2023 to October 2024, encapsulated a decline from FA Cup glory to mid-table mediocrity. Despite early promise with two trophies—the EFL Cup in 2023 and FA Cup in 2024—Ten Hag’s side faltered under mounting defensive frailties and tactical rigidity. United finished 8th in the 2023-24 Premier League, their worst-ever position, with just 60 points from 38 games. In his last nine league matches before sacking, United earned 11 points from 9 games (2 wins, 5 draws, 2 losses), sitting 14th with a -7.69 xG differential, the league’s worst. Overall win rate: 54.69% across 128 games (70 wins, 23 draws, 35 losses). Brutal truth: Ten Hag’s Ajax-inspired high press eroded into a reactive shell, conceding 1.32 goals per Premier League match—the second-highest since Rangnick’s interim stint.
Ruben Amorim’s Early Months at Manchester United (November 2024 – November 2025)
Ruben Amorim replaced Ten Hag on November 11, 2024, inheriting a squad in freefall. By November 2025—one year in—Amorim’s record stands at 21 wins from 64 games across competitions (32.8% win rate), with 12 Premier League victories. United finished 15th in 2024-25 (42 points from 38 games), no trophies, and an Europa League final loss to Tottenham. In 2025-26, through 12 games, they tie for 10th with 18 points (5 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses), showing marginal improvement: 44.7% time leading matches (496 minutes), up from 355 minutes across Amorim’s prior 27 league games. Yet, underlying stats scream inefficiency—1.2 goals per game, second-highest non-pen xGA (1.51 per game), and a negative goal differential. Amorim’s first season drew media condemnation as one of United’s worst campaigns, exacerbated by a shock EFL Cup exit to Grimsby Town (12-11 on penalties). Cold fact: No new manager bounce materialized; United lost six of Amorim’s first 11 Premier League games, the worst start since 1932.
Overall Performance Stats: Wins, Losses, and League Position
Ten Hag’s final year yielded 146 Premier League points from 2022-23 onward, fifth-most behind City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Villa—yet 57 fewer than City. In his last 10 games (all comps), United managed 3 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses, scoring 18 goals but conceding 20. Possession averaged 51%, but shots faced hit 667 in 2023-24, the most since 2003-04. Defensive record: 1.32 goals conceded per game, with seven of 27 league defeats via 90th-minute winners.
Amorim’s 38 Premier League games amassed 45 points (1.18 per game), 14th in the table excluding relegated/promoted sides—below West Ham (41), Spurs (40), and Wolves (38). Wins: 12 (31.6% rate, lowest post-Ferguson). Goals: 1.7 per game early on, dipping to 1.2 overall; conceded 1.51 xGA per game. In 2025-26’s first 11, 496 minutes leading (45%) marks progress, but dropped points from winning positions (six) highlight fragility. Table position: 15th in debut season; 10th early 2025-26, with three straight October wins but no back-to-back league victories until late.
| Metric | Ten Hag (Final 12 Months, ~40 PL Games) | Amorim (First 12 Months, 38 PL Games) |
|---|---|---|
| Win Rate (PL) | 40% (16W-8D-16L) | 31.6% (12W-9D-17L) |
| Points per Game (PL) | 1.45 | 1.18 |
| Goals Scored/Game (PL) | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Goals Conceded/Game | 1.32 | 1.5 |
| xG Differential/Game | -0.2 | -0.3 |
| Final League Position | 8th (60 pts, 2023-24) | 15th (42 pts, 2024-25) |
Data aggregated from Opta via Premier League and Transfermarkt. Verdict: Amorim’s metrics lag, with fewer chances created (9.5 per 90 vs. Ten Hag’s 11.7) and higher concession rates, underscoring a squad ill-suited to transition.
Tactical Breakdown: Ten Hag’s High Press vs. Amorim’s 3-4-2-1
Ten Hag’s Tactics: Fluid but Fragile
Ten Hag enforced a 4-2-3-1 with high pressing (PPDA ~10.5), emphasizing quick transitions and wing overloads via Rashford/Sancho. Direct speed: 1.1 m/s; attacks per 90: 2.6. Strengths: 17 wins from 21 domestic cup games, exploiting set-pieces (35% goals). Weaknesses: Defensive lapses—667 shots faced in 2023-24—stemmed from full-back exposure (e.g., Dalot/Awon’s 12.4% tackle success). In final months, press broke down (xGA 1.34/game), leading to reactive low blocks. Heat maps showed Rashford isolated wide, contributing to 12 goals in 54 games post-2023 peak (30 in 56). Brutal assessment: Ten Hag’s system demanded athleticism United lacked, yielding 27 PL defeats, seven via late goals.
Amorim’s Tactics: Structured but Stagnant
Amorim’s rigid 3-4-2-1 prioritizes back-three solidity and half-space exploitation via dual No. 10s (e.g., Fernandes, Mount). Possession: 56% (up 5% from Ten Hag), but direct speed dropped to 0.9 m/s, with 2.7 attacks/90. Strengths: Long switches (league-high frequency) aid wing-backs like Dalot (4 assists in 2025-26). Early wins (e.g., 2-1 vs. City) showcased counter-pressing. Weaknesses: Low shot quality (xG 1.2/game) and second-half collapses (14 conceded, league-most). Squad mismatch—Rashford loaned, Garnacho (before fallout) wide-left—exposed midfield gaps (Ugarte’s 1.8 tackles/90 insufficient). In 2025-26, 11 first-half goals (joint-most) contrast 14 second-half concessions, per Amorim: “Five minutes of madness.” Data: Fewer shots (151 in first 11 vs. Ten Hag’s 191 in last 10), poorer xG (0.04 differential sans pens).
| Tactical Element | Ten Hag (Final Year) | Amorim (First Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | 4-2-3-1 (High Press) | 3-4-2-1 (Possession Build) |
| PPDA (Press Intensity) | 10.5 | 11.2 |
| Possession % | 51% | 56% |
| Shots Faced/Game | 17.5 | 15.8 |
| Set-Piece Goals % | 35% | 28% |
| Direct Attacks/90 | 2.6 | 2.7 |
Opta/Transfermarkt stats. Truth: Amorim’s structure curbs chaos but stifles creativity; Ten Hag’s press was bolder but brittle.
Key Player Impacts and Squad Metrics Under Each Manager
Ten Hag maximized Rashford (17 PL goals in 2023-24) and Martinez (pre-injury), but squandered £400m+ on misfits like Antony (3 goals/season). Fernandes hit 10 goals/10 assists, but squad depth crumbled—12 different left-backs used. Injury toll: 1,200+ days missed in 2023-24.
Amorim revitalized Amad (5 goals in 2025-26) and Mbeumo (via switches), with Zirkzee adding 4 goals. Yet, Rashford’s loan and Hojlund’s 1 goal before being loaned out to Napoli reflect poor fit; Fernandes (7 involvements) carries overload. Goalkeeping: Onana’s 12 clean sheets under Ten Hag vs. Bayindir’s 2 in 14 under Amorim (27 conceded). 2025-26 leading time (45%) ties to better recruitment (Sesko, Cunha), but dropped leads (e.g., vs. Forest, Spurs) expose mentality.
| Player | Ten Hag (Final Year Stats) | Amorim (First Year Stats) |
|---|---|---|
| Bruno Fernandes | 10G/10A (PL) | 7G/5A (PL) |
| Marcus Rashford | 8G (PL) | 2G (pre-loan) |
| Kobbie Mainoo | 1G/2A | 3G/1A |
| Manuel Ugarte | N/A (joined post) | 1G/1A, 1.8 tackles/90 |
| Amad Diallo | 2G | 7G (all comps) |
FBref/Opta. Evidence: Amorim extracts more from youth (Mainoo up 200% minutes), but stars regress.
Cup and European Competitions: Trophies vs. Total Failure
Ten Hag’s cup prowess: 17W-4L in EFL/FA (100% win rate in finals vs. City). Europa League: 9W-12L, bottom of CL group (4 pts). Final year: Early EFL exit (3-0 vs. Newcastle).
Amorim: Zero trophies. Europa final loss to Spurs; shock defeats to Grimsby and 10-man Everton . No European qualification in 2025-26. Win rate: 40% in cups, but heavy defeats (3-1 Brighton, 4-1 Newcastle). Stark reality: Ten Hag delivered silverware; Amorim’s “structured” approach yields exits.
Financial and Squad Investment Outcomes
Ten Hag oversaw £600m+ spend, yielding 146 points but 8th place. ROI: Negative, with high wages (£300m+ annually) for underperformers.
Amorim: £200m summer 2025 (Mbeumo, Sesko), 15th finish. 2025-26: Improved xG (+0.04 sans pens), but no top-four trajectory. Brutal: Both eras expose recruitment rot—Ten Hag’s signings flop under Amorim, per ESPN.
Evidence of Regression, Not Revolution
Ten Hag’s final 12 months: Tactical intent with cup highs, but PL nadir (8th, 1.45 pts/game). Amorim’s first: Deeper decline (15th, 1.18 pts/game), with structure masking squad flaws. Stats indict both—United’s 45 points under Amorim trails Ten Hag’s late haul—but Amorim’s persistence (50th win October 2025) hints at green shoots (7th early 2025-26). Cold truth: No evidence of elite contention; mid-table malaise persists. For Manchester United tactics 2025, Amorim must adapt or emulate Ten Hag’s exit.
