Erik ten Hag is doing ‘a brilliant job’ as Man United manager, David Moyes insists – as he praises the Dutchman’s ‘resilience’ with pressure increasing on his role

David Moyes has heaped praise on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, despite the Dutchman’s position coming under intense scrutiny.

United are enduring their worst-ever start to a Premier League season as they sit 14th, while Ten Hag also guided them to their lowest finish during the previous campaign. 

Pressure continues to increase on Ten Hag to deliver results, with United drawing 0-0 with Aston Villa last time out on the back of throwing away a two-goal lead at Porto in the Europa League.

United are holding a crunch meeting in London on Tuesday, with the Dutchman’s future high on the agenda. 

And while he has come under criticism for his recent work from various pundits and fans alike, former United manager David Moyes has praised the 54-year-old, picking out one key characteristic that has, apparently, served him well.

David Moyes (left) has insisted that Erik ten Hag (right) is doing ‘a brilliant job’ as Manchester United manager

Ten Hag continues to come under pressure for his job amid United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season

The Red Devils are 14th in the Premier League table after finishing eighth last season

‘I think he’s doing a brilliant job,’ Moyes, who managed United briefly between 2013 and 2014 on the back of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, told BBC Sport. ‘I think he’s shown brilliant resilience in the situation that he’s in and I think he should be credited for how well he’s conducted himself.

‘As far as I know, I don’t see him ducking any questions or any media interviews that you people [the media] put forward to him,’ he added.

‘I think you have to give him great credit for that but it’s a job that is going to attract immense pressure, people talking, so I have to say that I think he’s doing a brilliant job.’

Moyes was Ferguson’s successor but lasted just nine months and 51 games before being relieved of his duties and replaced by Louis van Gaal.

After, he went onto coach the likes of Sunderland and Real Sociedad but has been most synonymous with his time as West Ham boss, having led the side in two stints between 2017 and 2024.

Though United are now under different off-field leadership in the form of INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Moyes knows the pressure that comes with being in charge of United.

Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager in 2013 but lasted less than a year

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) is set to be present at a United board meeting in London on Tuesday

Reports on Monday, meanwhile, suggested that Thomas Tuchel is being lined up as a replacement for Ten Hag should the club look to make a change.

Prior to the Villa game, Ratcliffe was asked if he still backed Ten Hag, replying via BBC: ‘I don’t want to answer that question.

‘I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.’

United are set to hold a crunch board meeting in London on Tuesday.