'No excuses' - why Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag

Manchester United's poor results and performances cost Erik ten Hag his job only 116 days after his contract was extended.

United sources say the club took a difficult and finely balanced decision before deciding to end Ten Hag's tenure after less than two-and-a-half years.

Ten Hag stayed on as United manager in the summer, despite the club finishing eighth in the Premier League last term and bottom of their Champions League group. United won the FA Cup in the final game of the campaign to effectively earn Ten Hag a reprieve.

READ MORE: LIVE Ten Hag sacked reaction

READ MORE: Ten Hag sacked

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed a minority stake in December, United have installed a new chief executive, a new technical director and an inaugural sporting director. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake were brought in as assistant coaches under Ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy has been installed as caretaker manager.

Despite chief executive Omar Berrada offering Ten Hag "full backing" last month, United have lost faith in the Dutchman. The club wanted to give Ten Hag the opportunity to work under a new structure but felt the performances nor the results had been good enough this calendar year.

United insist they partially retained Ten Hag to maintain continuity amid their widespread changes yet Ten Hag has failed to oversee any progress this term. United are 14th in the Premier League table with a -3 goal difference, having lost four of their opening nine league fixtures.

Their league record and failure to win any of their three Europa League games from winning positions have additionally been cited behind the decision to dismiss Ten Hag.

United believe they put everything in place to develop and there are no excuses for the dire form of