Ange Postecoglu is the right man to replace Erik Ten Hag - Chris Sutton

Pundit names the manager Manchester United should appoint to replace Erik ten Hag 

Manchester United should look at Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou if Erik ten Hag runs out of road at Old Trafford, former Premier League champion Chris Sutton argues.

Perhaps the most painful aspect of Man City’s 3-0 win – a scoreline which flattered Erik ten Hag’s beleaguered hosts far more than it did the dominant visitors – is that most of the home fans in attendance saw it coming a mile off. 

For the first time in his Manchester United tenure, serious questions are starting to be asked of Ten Hag. Even some of the Dutchman’s biggest admirers left baffled by a string of odd tactical decisions.

Scott McTominay in for Mason Mount, the £55 million midfielder Ten Hag was so keen to sign only a few months ago? Bruno Fernandes on the right wing (again) while Antony, a £82 million signing, was left on the bench?

While there is no suggestion that Ten Hag’s job is under any immediate threat – he deserves the benefit of the doubt and a stay of execution after such an impressive debut season after all – the fact is that Man United have lost half of their 14 games in all competitions this term, with questions like the one Sutton fielded in the aftermath of that derby mauling likely to be replicated throughout the next few days.

Erik ten Hag under pressure at Manchester United

“Big Ange,” the Celtic hero said when asked who should potentially take Ten Hag’s place in backside-burning Old Trafford hotseat, speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast.

Postecoglou took over a Tottenham side in a similarly unstable situation to that facing Man United over the summer. Mutiny on the terraces. A lack of leadership running through so many departments. 

The unpopularity of chairman Daniel Levy. And did we mention the sale of talisman Harry Kane?

Despite inheriting a job with more problems than a Jay-Z song, however, the affable Aussie has led Tottenham to their best ever Premier League start. Eight wins and two draws from 10 games. 11 points clear of Man United already.

Postecoglou’s Tottenham top of the table

“I don’t want to keep going on about big Ange,” Sutton adds. “But when he first came in at Tottenham, there was this campaign saying ‘hashtag Postecoglou Out’.

“Where are these people now? Where are you?”

Sutton shouldn’t expect an answer. Postecoglou’s cynics are too busy stuffing their mouth with humble pie.

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