Image source, Getty Images

Erik ten Hag won two trophies in his two full seasons at Old Trafford, and it was an impressive 2-1 victory against Manchester City in last season's FA Cup final which proved vital to the Dutchman keeping his job.

He ended the club's six-year wait for silverware with victory against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final in his first season at the club, also achieving a third-placed finish in the Premier League.

But his second season proved far more difficult as United, having been knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League, finished eighth in the league before ending on a high against City at Wembley.

The initial deal Ten Hag signed when he was appointed in 2022 was due to expire at the end of the current season, in 2025.

Following a review of the team's performance across the 2023-24 season, which included speaking to potential replacements for Ten Hag, the club - led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe - decided to trigger an extension to keep the manager at Old Trafford until 2026.

But a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign has seen that faith in Ten Hag evaporate.

Manchester United

Here's what Erik ten Hag had to say after Sunday's game, which proved to be his last interview as Manchester United manager: "We know, we have to score. 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."

What are your thoughts on that then Manchester United fans... was it time for Erik ten Hag to go, or did he deserve more time?

Hit thumbs up if you agree with the club's decision, thumbs down if not.

And also send your thoughts via the usual channels listed above.

Manchester United

Manchester United have confirmed the news that they have sacked manager Erik ten Hag with a statement on their website.

It reads: "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."

Manchester United have sacked their manager Erik ten Hag.

Image source, Getty Images

Huge news coming out of Old Trafford...

Eddie, Plymouth: Hi Phil, Hope you are well and thanks for your pearls of wisdom. Is there something about Ivan Toney's game why Premier League title aiming clubs didn't go for him? Nigel Reo-Coker reckons Liverpool could do with a 20+goal-a-season striker, Chelsea were reportedly still after a striker and it's widely felt both Arsenal and Man United need a high scoring forward. Why do you think there was movement for him?

Phil: Hi, Eddie. Spurs confirmed they looked at him but decided to go for Dominic Solanke. I don’t think Liverpool really needed him but was a little surprised both Arsenal and Chelsea decided against him.

Maybe they decided the price was too rich or perhaps Toney had his mind set on the fortune he is now making in Saudi Arabia.

England

And finally from the Lionesses, midfielder Georgia Stanway was also asked what she learned from the defeat by Germany: "We went through some things in that game which we do not want to experience again. Obviously to be 3-0 down after 30 minutes is a tough one to take. But you can see the strength in the group that we were able to solve it from then onwards. We were able to be more compact, we were able to try to get them more on the counter.

"We brought the scoreline closer within a matter of minutes and it's a good opportunity to have difficulties in the game and then you seek staff to get questions answered, to talk about it. I think that is the most important thing, to get as much clarity as we can. These are the times where we can afford to lose. We obviously don't want to but we can afford it. In 10 months' time we don't want to be sat in the same situation."

England

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman added on potential line-up changes: "You see different shapes in the game all of the time. Top level teams are able to change shape in the dynamics and how do we defend that? We really need to be connected and aligned in moments.

"In possession we want to be unpredictable too, with the energy, and always play to win. You have your different shape, the dynamics in that and that needs a lot of alignment. We just want to build and build and build to be unpredictable."

Andy: These "was it a penalty?" discussions are always tedious. Two VAR officials and an on-field referee all agree Ings was fouled, theirs is the only opinion that counts. TV pundits and armchair pundits alike can always train as referees if they think they know better.

Pete: Why was head referee Michael Oliver doing VAR at London Stadium yesterday? It seems weird that the Premier League’s top ref wasn’t on the field and, given the penalty decision and the fact the ref on the pitch didn’t look like he wanted to give it then felt obliged to do so, it looked very, very bad. Is it a good idea to effectively have the referee’s boss in his ear in these already pressurised moments?

Phil: Hi, Pete. Obviously we are not, as yet, party to what was said but the whole incident reflected very badly on the process.

Not sure Michael Oliver is actually the head referee, he is simply regarded by some as the best, but there was absolutely no need for him to get involved as VAR yesterday. The initial decision by referee David Coote not to give a penalty was correct. It was such a poor outcome.

It was the total opposite of the guidance given to referees, which I will repeat again below, and I really do think the PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer Howard Webb needs to give some sort of explanation. It just was not good enough with these guidelines in mind.

"The referee's call should stand unless the VAR, based on readily available evidence, can see without doubt the on-pitch official has made a clear mistake. In the absence of that clear evidence, the referee's call will stand."

England

Georgia Stanway was asked about playing South Africa, a team England don't play against often: "I have never actually played South Africa, so for me it is a completely new experience.

"Sarina has said stay out of the duels but I can't 100% guarantee that. I am excited for what is going to happen. I am excited for another game to play. Obviously we have got some work to do and we want to try to finish the camp on a high."

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman added on the building criticism of her side: "Of course we are so visible and expectations are really high. We definitely have to deal with that. We are in our environment every day in camp so we know what we want to do and how we want to do it. We know how our execution goes.

"We then say what went well and what we can improve and that is what we are working on every single day. There is then criticism from outside, which is alright, but we know exactly what we're working on and where we want to go. From the outside world it is a bit too much result-related, so what would it have been had it (the Germany result) been 4-4? There are still, of course, concerns when we concede four goals."

England

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman was also asked if it is a concern that England have kept only four clean sheets in the last 18 games: "I would say look at the bigger picture. The game is improving and we are playing better opponents too. The Nations League is coming up. We have tough games all of the time, which I think is really good because you will be exposed when you are not doing things right enough.

"Of course, you do not want to concede goals, but we are looking at how we concede goals and how we can improve in these moments."

Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway on the younger players coming through: "Yeah it is really exciting. Obviously I am away from it a little bit in Germany, so I'm on the Lionesses channels, on the WSL channels. We have seen the result yesterday from the young Lionesses, which is unbelievable for them to be in the semi-finals. I have been there in youth tournaments where it is the best thing in the world.

"Those experiences are massive. When you are coming through the age groups the managers will say only one or two of you will make it into the Lionesses. In my age group there is probably 10 people in the environment at the moment so I feel like us creating a massive talent pool is so special for us going forward."

NMP, Slough: Hi Phil. Do you think Arsenal's biggest worry is the abrupt drop in quality if a centre-back gets injured? Calafiori and Timber are preferred as left-backs, and Kiwior just appears too naive compared to Gabriel and Saliba. It showed again yesterday when he left the space totally free for Salah to wander into. They seem to have adequate squad coverage everywhere but there.

Phil: Hello, NMP. Yes, that is an area where they can least afford to lose players.

I think Arsenal’s injuries are a worry and they have come in a rush, from Odegaard then Timber and Calafiori along with the untimely one-game suspension for William Saliba.

This is why the last thing they needed to see was Gabriel going off against Liverpool yesterday then sitting on the bench with an ice pack on his knee and thigh. They will be desperately hoping this is not serious.

I think they came to rely so heavily on Saliba and Gabriel last season, with Saliba playing every league game and Gabriel missing only two, that there is bound to be a drop-off when you miss even one of these outstanding players.

They ended yesterday with Thomas Partey, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly as their back four – and that is obviously not sustainable.

This is why good news on Gabriel and the return of Saliba is essential.

England

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman was also asked about not being able to attend tonight's Ballon d'Or awards, at which she is nominated for women's coach of the year, because of the clash in schedule: "It's really disappointing because it is a moment to celebrate women's football so you want to be there. But we have a job to do so we have to be here, it would be helpful if we were there."

Georgia Stanway was asked if her speaking to the press for the third time in a week is indicative of the results, with other players potentially not wanting to speak: "I think we are in a position where any of us would be comfortable speaking to you guys.

"I think it can be difficult depending on mood and how the game has gone but I am happy to come here and answer some questions."

England

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman is speaking to the media before England take on South Africa in a friendly on Tuesday. She was first asked about last week's Germany defeat: "For me it doesn't matter how unfair the criticism is. We wanted to high press and at moments we didn't get that right. Against a top-level team like Germany we were being exposed."

On changes: "You will see different faces tomorrow. You want more information but I am not going to tell you. We want to try out things, we want to see connections."

Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool were behind twice, playing away from home against their title rivals, and left the Emirates Stadium with a point, so they will definitely be happier with a draw than Arsenal were on Sunday.

Yes, injuries meant the Gunners finished with an unfamiliar back four, but they will have been thinking that if they could maintain their shape, and almost turn the game into a training-ground exercise, they should have been able to keep Arne Slot’s side out.

So they will be bitterly disappointed to have been pegged back to 2-2, especially when you consider the way they had ended the first half, because they were in control of the game at that point.

Stephen Warnock column on Arsenal's draw with Liverpool

Arsenal

Here's more from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who felt his side should have beaten Liverpool in Sunday's big Premier League game.