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Man Utd have 'become laughing stock under Erik ten Hag' as sack timeline mooted
Erik ten Hag's position could become untenable if Manchester United suffer a shock FA Cup exit to Wigan.
Shaun Maloney believes his team can cause an FA Cup shock against Man Utd
Manchester United have to sack Erik ten Hag and remove their reputation as a laughing stock if they suffer a shock FA Cup defeat against Wigan Athletic tonight, according to Mark Lawrenson. United visit the DW Stadium looking to start 2024 on the front foot by earning safe passage into the fourth round.
The Red Devils will know that a humiliating exit against the League One strugglers would already end their hopes of silverware this season.
Ten Hag publicly disagrees, insisting that his side are still in the running for the Premier League title despite sitting 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, having lost nine of their 20 games.
But a defeat against their north-west neighbours would plummet United's campaign to lower depths and surely push the scrutiny on the Dutchman's job to the brink of breaking point.
He is thought to be in something of an interview for his own job as Sir Jim Ratcliffe awaits the Premier League to ratify his £1.3billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in the club.
The 71-year-old tycoon and INEOS have started working at Old Trafford and Carrington but can't directly execute plans until the minority investment has been passed - which will transfer total sporting control.
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And Lawrenson believes Sir Jim would have to fast-track potential plans to appoint his own manager if United crash out of the FA Cup tonight.
"After Manchester United's lacklustre performance against Nottingham Forest, if they lost to Wigan, Erik ten Hag would have to say, 'thank you but no thank you', because that's the worst result possible for them, no disrespect to Wigan," Lawrenson told Paddy Power.
"With Sir Jim Ratcliffe, he's gone through five managers in OGC Nice. With Manchester United, there are so many other things as well.
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"The roof needs fixing, they will be selling people in the January transfer window, and the club needs a major overhaul, so what does he do? If Ten Hag loses at Wigan, he has to go – it's become a laughing stock."
Ten Hag is reportedly safe for now, with United's new sporting hierarchy set to prioritise other appointments in the opening few months of their project.
But the 53-year-old undoubtedly can't afford many more blows before the summer, when a decision on his future will likely be made.
That said, United are the heavy favourites to do the business in Wigan and avoid becoming the only top-flight team to suffer a third-round shock.