Manchester United facing crucial test against Aston Villa, says Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton believes that a heavy defeat for Manchester United against Aston Villa this weekend could mark the end of Erik ten Hag’s time at the club. Ten Hag is under immense pressure following a poor start to the season, with just seven points from six Premier League matches and two draws in the Europa League.
After finishing in eighth place in the Premier League last season, Ten Hag managed to secure his job and a new two-year contract by winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
‘Erik ten minutes’: Is Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd up?
Next up for United is a challenging trip to face an in-form Aston Villa side, who recently defeated Bayern Munich in the Champions League and are just two points off the top of the Premier League table.
Former Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea striker Sutton believes that another significant loss at Villa Park, similar to the 3-0 defeats against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, could spell the end for Ten Hag.
“It could be the end for United boss Erik ten Hag if he also loses at Villa Park, especially if it is another bad defeat – the way you lose is important as well,” Sutton wrote in his predictions column for BBC Sport.
“If they get an absolute battering here, forget Erik ten Hag because it will be more like Erik ten minutes.
“I am not expecting that to happen, though. United are desperate for a result and I have a feeling they might get something here.
“I just wonder if, after all the emotion of Wednesday night, Aston Villa feel drained and find it hard to raise themselves again.
“The atmosphere will definitely not be the same as it was, at 2pm on a Sunday, and that will help United – as well as any Villa absentees, because they are stretched.”
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