Erik ten Hag has been sacked as Manchester United manager following Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham United, the club announced on Monday.

Ten Hag, whose contract was extended in the summer, was sacked after a run of just four wins from 13 games at the start of the new season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge on an interim basis for the Carabao Cup game against Leicester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Sources have told ESPN that United bosses made the decision to sack Ten Hag after losing faith that the Dutchman could turn things around following a poor start to the new season. Having picked up just 11 points from nine league games, there are already concerns that United are too far behind to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Results and performances in the Premier League at the end of last season were also taken into account.

United finished eighth in the table last season and are in 14th place after their defeat at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Ten Hag remained in the summer after leading United to a shock 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

The decision followed a detailed review at the end of the season, which saw club bosses, including new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, hold talks with a number of different candidates.

But despite discussions with potential successors, Ratcliffe and his INEOS team decided to keep Ten Hag in his job and extend his contract until June 2026. Van Nistelrooy, who played for United between 2002 and 2006, arrived as part of a revamped backroom team alongside former Go Ahead Eagles manager Rene Hake.

Hake is expected to remain at Old Trafford to support Van Nistelrooy in his caretaker role. Van Nistelrooy has one year of managerial experience at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. He left his role in 2023 after leading PSV to Dutch Cup success.

Sources have told ESPN that United has already begun exploring options for its next permanent coach. Thomas Tuchel was a leading candidate in the summer, but the former Bayern Munich coach has since agreed to take over as England coach.

Ratcliffe, INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth are all admirers of former England manager Gareth Southgate, although he has said he does not want to return as coach until next summer.