Erik ten Hag reaches Man Utd milestone with Fulham victory

Erik ten Hag reached a personal milestone as Manchester United manager on Saturday as his side earned a vital 1-0 victory at Fulham.

Bruno Fernandes’ late strike ensured the Red Devils picked up their sixth Premier League win of the season following consecutive 3-0 defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle United, the latter ending their defence of the Carabao Cup.

Must-win games against Kobenhavn in the Champions League and Luton in their final league outing before the November international break are up next, but Ten Hag might pause momentarily to recognise a feat he reached with Saturday’s success at Craven Cottage.

The Dutchman has now reached 50 victories in charge of United from 79 games in all competitions. He’s the joint-fastest alongside Ernest Mangnall, who managed the club from 1903 to 1912 and led them to their first major trophy with the 1908 First Division title, to reach that mark.

Erik ten Hag’s first 50 wins as Man Utd manager

Just over half of Ten Hag’s first 50 wins as United manager have come in the Premier League, where a season of steady improvement in 2022/23 raised hopes for a title tilt in the former Ajax boss’ second campaign in charge.

While that is looking unlikely sitting in eighth with five losses in the Premier League already this season, there was respite for Ten Hag and United from the heat that defeats to Man City and Newcastle had brought thanks to Fernandes’ last-gasp winner.

United were also solid in domestic competitions in 2022/23, winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup final with strong runs in both tournaments. Eight wins have come in the Europa League, but Ten Hag’s first Champions League venture with United has started inauspiciously with two defeats from three group stage games.

He’ll be looking for his second UCL win with United on Wednesday when his side visit Kobenhavn.

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