Man United face daunting European trips to Porto and Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce this month, while they also travel to Aston Villa and West Ham… so, can the under-fire Erik ten Hag make it out of October?
Erik ten Hag‘s tenure at Manchester United hit a new low on Sunday as his side were thumped 3-0 by Tottenham.
The defeat has further ramped up the pressure on the Dutchman as United’s difficult start to the season continued, with the Red Devils having lost three of their opening six Premier League games, while they also drew against FC Twente in the Europa League.
Reports have claimed the Dutchman will at least be in charge for the next two games, and things aren’t going to get much easier for Ten Hag with a brutal fixture list over the next month.
Alongside difficult away European trips in Portugal and Turkey, United face three crunch top flight matches, while a Carabao Cup bout with Premier League opposition is also coming up.
In light of the tricky schedule, Mail Sport has taken a look at United’s next opponents and examined the task that Ten Hag and his side face.
Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure as Man United boss after their 3-0 defeat by Tottenham
United have lost three of their six Premier League games and face a daunting fixture list
There is much speculation that United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe may move on from Ten Hag
October 3 – Porto (A)
It’s straight into the cauldron of the Estadio do Dragao for United this Thursday as they take on Porto in what is one of the toughest possible assignments in the Europa League.
The Portuguese side beat Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash last season, with the Gunners only edging through the tie on penalties.
Despite a summer of transition, Porto have begun the season well, winning six of their seven league games, although they lost 3-2 to Bodo/Glimt in their opening Europa League clash, which should give United confidence of getting back to winning ways.
Danger rating – 3.5/5
United face a trip to Porto, who pushed Arsenal all the way in the Champions League last year
October 6 – Aston Villa (A)
A potentially bruising trip to Portugal is followed by another intense away clash against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
United have a good recent record against the Villans, winning the past four encounters, although Unai Emery famously won his first game in charge of Villa when they humbled the Red Devils 3-1 in November 2022.
He has since transformed them into a club challenging United for the top four and although their defence has looked leaky recently, Emery’s side are an extremely tough proposition for any opponent right now.
They go into the game on the back of a historic Champions League win over European heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Danger rating – 4/5
A trip to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa is one of the toughest assignments in the Premier League
October 19 – Brentford (H)
The international break should give Ten Hag time to refresh, but he will soon be right back into it when Brentford – a team that have caused the Dutchman plenty of problems over the past two years – come to town.
The Bees sit above United on goal difference, and won’t be an easy opponent to come up against, although Thomas Frank’s side are battling several injury issues.
If Ten Hag truly believes he is the man to turn around the Red Devils, anything less than a win against Brentford, despite the dangers they possess, will be unacceptable.
Danger rating – 2.5/5
After the international break, United entertain Brentford in a game that Ten Hag has to win
October 24 – Fenerbahce (A)
On paper, a game against a team who sit second in the Turkish Super Lig would not be viewed as particularly taxing.
But throw in an away trip to one of the most hostile grounds in world football, coupled with the presence of Jose Mourinho no doubt desperate to get one over on his former club, and the narrative surrounding the clash becomes completely different.
Former United stars Fred and Sofyan Amrabat will also have a point to prove and as proven by last season’s chaotic trip to Galatasaray, any away encounter in a football-mad country like Turkey is not an easy task at all.
Danger rating – 4/5
The Europa League trip to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce has plenty of fascinating storylines
October 27 – West Ham (A)
Manchester United’s recent record away at West Ham leaves a lot to be desired, with the Red Devils having not won at the London Stadium since September 2021.
The Hammers have struggled so far this season after a summer of change, leading to the pressure growing on Julen Lopetegui, but you’d expect the Spaniard to get his side together over the next few weeks.
United’s poor recent record in east London means this won’t be an easy assignment for Ten Hag’s side, although they will still be favourites to turn over the Hammers.
Danger rating – 2.5/5
Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham have struggled so far, but will fancy their chances against United
October 30 – Leicester (H)
Given Ten Hag’s repeated reminders of his trophy successes in England, the Carabao Cup tie against Leicester at the end of the month has generated increased importance.
The Foxes will have other priorities and struggled past Walsall in the third round, while United put out a strong line-up against Barnsley, something that is indicative of their ambitions in this competition.
The clash will provide Ten Hag with the opportunity to give minutes to fringe players in need of gametime, and with the Foxes’ ongoing struggles, it seems likely that this will be Ten Hag’s easiest assignment this month.
Danger rating – 2/5
United end their tricky month when they entertain Leicester in the Carabao Cup fourth round
All in all, it promises to be a crunch month for Ten Hag and one that is likely to define his future as United boss.
Despite their show of faith in the summer, if results don’t pick up, the INEOS-led football operation at Old Trafford could find themselves forced into a major decision in the coming weeks.
But, if United do show signs of improvement, the Dutchman’s hand will be strengthened and further belief will be entrenched in their long-term process of restoring the club to the top of English football.
It won’t be easy though, and with a blockbuster clash with Chelsea kicking off proceedings in November, Ten Hag faces the biggest month of his tenure at Old Trafford.
