Erik tenHag, the former Red Devils manager, has confirmed that Manchester United could fall into relegation from the Premier League this season, telling ESPN that the possibility is "certainly real". His statement comes after the 2‑0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which pushed the club to 17th place in the table, just outside the relegation zone. Despite the latest result, the goal difference still remains in United's favour, but the pressure on manager Michael Carrick increases considerably.
The club, who have not been relegated to the Championship since 1974, still have a few months to try to get back on track. However, the current situation does not suggest an immediate improvement. The next matches against AstonVilla and Liverpool are crucial for the hope of survival. United have had a mixed season: TenHag's first season finished in third place, while the 2023-24 season took him to eighth, before his removal in November 2024, when the club sat in 14th place. Despite the loss of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, the Dutch manager underlined the difficulty of competing with the strongest teams in the Premier League, which have exceptional resources and talent.
TenHag also expressed regret over his departure from the club, saying his time at Old Trafford was "pretty good". He recalled that, before his arrival, the club had not won a trophy in six years, and praised their recent successes: six appearances at Wembley, two FA Cup finals, two trophies won and a third-place finish. Despite this, he acknowledged that the Premier League is extremely competitive and that a difficult period can turn into a serious problem.
Manchester United's future remains uncertain. With the next match against AstonVilla, the club's management will have to decide whether to take drastic measures to avoid relegation or whether to try to consolidate the team for the following season. The pressure on the players and management is palpable, and every result will be analyzed with extreme attention. For now, the team must focus on the next matches to try to get out of the danger zone and save their position in the Premier League.