Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag suffers defeat in return to former club

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was on the receiving end of defeat upon his return to Utrecht for a testimonial for former player Mark van der Maarel.

Ten Hag was given the green light to participate in the tribute game after Maarel retired at the end of the last season following a career-long stay at the club.

Ten Hag led Utrecht from 2015 to 2017 and returned to oversee a side comprising Utrecht old boys in a clash against the current squad, which ended in a narrow 2-1 loss for Ten Hag's team despite Van der Maarel netting a sentimental goal towards the end.

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Post-match, Ten Hag expressed his admiration for Van der Maarel on ESPN, saying: "It is obvious that I come here from Manchester for Mark. He has been very important for me, but of course also for FC Utrecht. What he has achieved and accomplished in fifteen years at a club like Utrecht is not easy. I want to give him that recognition."

With this special event wrapped up, Ten Hag is set to reconvene with United as they focus on an upcoming encounter with Southampton, aiming to rebound from consecutive Premier League losses to Liverpool and Brighton.

Following United's 3-0 loss to Liverpool, the pressure has mounted on Ten Hag. However, the club remains supportive of him, reports the Mirror.

"In terms of the contract, that was a decision that was taken prior to both of our rivals," stated United's new CEO Omar Berrada before the match.

"But as I said before, we're very happy with that decision. Erik has our full backing and we have worked very closely together in