United dropped to 17th after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, leaving them level with 18th-placed Crystal Palace on goal difference and just two points above bottom-placed Sunderland.
Speaking on ESPN NL’s Goedemorgen Eredivisie, Ten Hag, who was sacked by Manchester United in 2024, admitted that relegation to the Championship remains a possibility given the competitiveness of the Premier League.
“In the Premier League, it’s certainly possible, because all the teams are simply strong. They’re all strong squads, all good managers. And if you end up on the wrong side once and you really get into that vicious circle – yes, then it can become very, very difficult,” he said.
Manchester United are scheduled to host an in-form Aston Villa on November 8 before travelling to Anfield to face arch-rivals Liverpool on November 22, following the international break.
Meanwhile, interim manager Michael Carrick has insisted that the team must focus on securing victories rather than dwelling on their position near the relegation zone.
“We’ve got to keep moving forward and winning games, simple as that. There are no words that I’m going to explain to you now that make it [being in the relegation zone]any difference; it’s not going to change it,” Carrick said.
He added that the club should approach the situation positively, pointing out that a series of victories could quickly improve their position in the league.
“You can look at it like that [negatively]and you can look at how far you can move up the league quite quickly if you win football matches. So that’s the way it’s got to be approached, for sure,” he stated.
