Jose Mourinho saw red last night, amplifying the mounting pressure on Erik ten Hag just days before Manchester United’s visit to West Ham on Sunday. The United boss faces fan backlash over controversial choices, particularly fielding Noussair Mazraoui in an advanced midfield role, during the team’s third Europa League draw, a shaky 1-1 with Fenerbahce.
While Mourinho’s dismissal is set to dominate headlines, questions over Ten Hag’s tactical decisions are intensifying calls for his dismissal. Despite heroic saves from Andre Onana, United’s European performance matched their domestic struggles.
The winless Red Devils are doing so poorly in the newly formatted Europa League that they are in danger of dropping out of a revamped competition designed to keep the big boys in.
For West Ham and head coach Julen Lopetegui, Sunday’s game is a golden chance to capitalise on United’s visible weaknesses. Although Lopetegui faces his own job concerns, speculation surrounding Ten Hag’s position has overshadowed his troubles, placing the Dutchman squarely in the spotlight.
There is a genuine expectation around united fans and the Manchester based media that ten Hag is one game away from the dole queue and it could be the Hammers who push him over the edge.
