Erik Ten Hag May Be "Under Pressure" But He Is Statistically Man United's Best Manager Ever
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag watched his side suffer a 10th loss of the season at the weekend.
Reacting to Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle, former United captain Roy Keane told Sky Sports that Ten Hag is a man "under pressure".
This is nothing new. At the start of November, one UK bookmaker had listed Ten Hag as the most likely candidate to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season.
The Dutchman now looks set to avoid that fate as Paul Heckingbottom is on the brink of being fired by Sheffield United, according to BBC Sport.
However, Ten Hag could well be the next manager to go if United's sluggish start to the season continues throughout the winter.
But despite the dissatisfaction around Old Trafford right now, one surprising statistic suggests that Ten Hag is actually United's best manager ever.
Manager Erik ten Hag pictured during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday
IMAGO/Sportimage/Nigel Roddis
Statistics can famously be deceptive, but Ten Hag's win percentage is currently higher than that of every previous permanent United boss (not including interim managers).
Ten Hag has led United to victory in 51 of his first 83 matches, giving him a win percentage of 61.45%.
Club legend Sir Alex Ferguson ended his 26-year stint as United manager with a 59.67% win-rate, having recorded 895 victories in 1,500 games.
Jose Mourinho is third on the list after winning 58.33% of his 144 matches, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw victories in 54.17% of his 168 games in the job.
Top 5 Manchester United Managers Based On Win Percentage
| Manager | From | To | Games | Wins | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Erik ten Hag | 2022 | Present day | 83 | 51 | 61.45% |
Alex Ferguson | 1986 | 2013 | 1,500 | 895 | 59.67% |
Jose Mourinho | 2016 | 2018 | 144 | 84 | 58.33% |
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | 2018 | 2021 | 168 | 91 | 54.17% |
Ernest Mangnall | 1903 | 1912 | 373 | 202 | 54.16% |
Obviously, in real terms Ten Hag is not even close to being more successful than Ferguson, who won 38 trophies with the Old Trafford club.
However, Ten Hag has made a much steadier start at United than Ferguson did.
Ferguson did not win a league title until his seventh season as United boss. During his first six league campaigns, the Red Devils finished 11th, second, 11th, 13th, sixth and second.
United persevered with Ferguson, who then delivered 13 Premier League titles.
Perhaps a little patience is required again...
Sir Alex Ferguson pictured holding the Premier League trophy after leading Manchester United to title glory in the 2010/11 season
IMAGO/PA Images/Martin Rickett
