Erik ten Hag admits disappointment and embarrassment over Manchester United exit

Enschede, Netherlands – January 14: Erik ten Hag during the presentation of the new technical director of FC Twente at De Grolsch Veste on January 14, 2026 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by Emiel Muiderman/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says broken promises, transfer decisions and uncertainty over his future left him disappointed during his time at Old Trafford.

In an interview with The Athletic, the Dutchman disclosed that the club sold Scott McTominay despite an agreement not to let the midfielder leave.

“In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, ‘No selling Scott McTominay’. We would go aligned in the transfer window. I made an argument: we don’t have scoring ability. Scott brings scoring abilities and great mentality. He has United in all his veins. So when they bring up the subject, ‘No’. And in the end they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed,” he said.

Ten Hag also criticised the club’s transfer strategy, saying United missed out on priority targets and failed to pursue some of the players he wanted.

“I want only one player and you know who I fought for it. I heard that he was very positive, but I never spoke with him about the issue. I don’t know how the decision process went with John, Richard, the Glazers,” he said.

Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong were among the players United were linked with during Ten Hag’s tenure but did not sign.

The former manager also expressed frustration over reports that United were considering replacing him ahead of the 2024 FA Cup final. He said speculation grew in the media while the club kept him in the dark.

United eventually changed course after Ten Hag led the team to a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the final, triggering a one-year contract extension and offering assurances about his future.

“I was thinking I’m the best manager for United, so it doesn’t make sense to dive in. I was just focusing on my team. We had one chance to win a trophy, the FA Cup, and that’s immense. So that’s what we did,” he said.

However, United’s poor start to the following season proved costly. The club sat 14th in the Premier League with 11 points from nine games when Ten Hag was sacked in October 2024.

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