Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday as Manchester United boss following a troubled start to the season, during which the Red Devils have already lost four league matches

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Five names to replace Erik ten Hag as Man Utd manager

A Manchester United player complained: "If your face doesn't fit you're sacrificed" during Erik ten Hag's sorry tenure as Red Devils boss, reports claim.

The seven-word gripe is now rather telling as ten Hag, 54, was dismissed on Monday after a troubled start to the season, culminating in a 2-1 loss at West Ham United on Sunday. Manchester United said in a statement: "We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited."

United finished in eighth place last season - their lowest in the Premier League era. It was ten Hag's second full season in charge of the club, ending with FA Cup joy as his young side beat rivals Manchester City.

But this wasn't enough to save the Dutchman, who faced criticism during his two-and-a-half year stint in the role. Early into ten Hag's second season, a player complained: "If your face doesn't fit you're sacrificed." The dressing room consensus was ten Hag had favourites he would protect at all costs and he was more strident in his criticism of players he had inherited.

As United's season spiralled, ten Hag ceased such privileges and his four most expensive signings were among the substitutes on the FA Cup final teamsheet, according to Manchester Evening News.

They will also despair at the defenestration that had shades of the last Dutch United manager's downfall. Ineos were more indecisive and more conscious of supporter sentiment than Ed Woodward.

A power vacuum partly reprieved Ten Hag. Yet when Berrada and Ashworth entered the building, they okayed another Dutch-centric transfer window, leaving the next incumbent saddled with a squad that will require a rebuild and a rebranding.

The Dutchman's side started this season poorly and languish 14th in the Premier League ( Image:

But the disappointing start to the new season has prompted United to pull the trigger. The club have won just one of their last eight games across all competitions, despite spending more than PS200million in the summer on new signings. United's four league losses include 3-0 defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the same month.

In his final interview as United manager, Ten Hag bemoaned his side's struggles in front of goal and a controversial penalty decision.

"We know, we have to score," he said after the defeat to West Ham. "We created so many chances, at half-time we should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up. But it feels very unfair, an injustice, the way we concede the penalty.

"There was an incident but it was so difficult to see, and before the season we had the instruction that only with a clear and obvious mistake then the VAR has to interfere. This is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake by the referee on the field."