Former Arsenal and Leicester City striker Alan Smith has said that he expects Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag to be sacked by Christmas. 

United have just three points from three games with their last a disappointing 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool at Anfield. They have only won one game so far and are languishing in the bottom half of the table.

Erik Ten Hag has come under much pressure from the media and online as he is the odds’ favourite Premier League manager to get sacked first this season.

Former striker Alan Smith believes that the Dutchman won’t make it to Christmas unless something changes fast. He told CasinoApps.com: “If Manchester United’s performances continue in this vein, I don’t think that Erik ten Hag will be in a job at Christmas.

“From what we’ve seen of Manchester United so far, there aren’t too many signs that things are going to change. Everything feels quite volatile at the club.

“Everything is on a knife-edge after three games, which is a crazy situation. I think there might be some movement before Christmas at United unless he can quickly get things together.”

Who is the favourite to take over at Manchester United

Amid all the speculation over Ten Hag’s future, the attention is beginning to turn to which managers would be available to take over from him should United decide to sack him.

According to Oddschecker, Ex-England boss Gareth Southgate is the favourite at 4/1 with United assistant manager and former star Ruud Van Nistelrooy close behind at 5/1.

Other names listed include former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel (9/1), Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna (16/1) and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi (20/1).

Manchester United’s record under Ten Hag

Erik Ten Hag has managed the Red Devils since 2022 and has the second-best win record of any United boss over the past 10 years (59%) narrowly missing out on the top spot which goes to Jose Mourinho  (60%).

The Dutchman managed 118 games for United with 67 wins, 18 draws, and 33 losses. It isn’t a bad record considering the hostility of the nature of the job since Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

However, the team have been poor this year with just one win from three, plus it was a close 1-0 win over Fulham, so nothing particularly convincing.

Ten Hag will hope that things can improve in their next game against Southampton or the critics will be as loud as ever and the pressure on his job will mount.