Erik ten Hag says Manchester United broke promises before his dismissal

In an interview published on 20 October 2026, former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag accused the club of failing to keep promises made after its 2024 FA Cup win. He said officials pledged loyalty, backing and better communication when he agreed to stay, and cited Scott McTominay’s subsequent sale to Napoli as an example. The alleged promises and breach are Ten Hag’s account of the talks.

What Ten Hag says was agreed in Ibiza

Ten Hag said he held discussions with United officials in Ibiza after the cup final. With only 12 months left on his contract, he said he would not continue without another year and a shared approach to the job. United subsequently extended his deal, but dismissed him just months later, in October 2024.

Why McTominay’s sale matters to his account

Ten Hag said he specifically opposed selling Scott McTominay. “In Ibiza, we agreed. I said, ‘No selling Scott McTominay’,” he said, according to Sportsnaut. He argued that the midfielder brought goals, a strong mentality and a connection to United. SPORTbible reported that United sold McTominay to Napoli for £25.7 million in the summer of 2024.

The Mirror reported that Ten Hag described the transfer as embarrassing. His objection gives a concrete example of the gap he alleges between the backing he expected and the decisions United made. The sale itself is established; whether it violated a commitment made to him remains his claim.

The dismissal Ten Hag now questions

United dismissed Ten Hag after a difficult start to the 2024–25 Premier League season. SPORTbible reported that the team had won three of its first nine league games; Sportsnaut said a defeat by West Ham left it 14th when he was sacked. Ten Hag questioned the timing, saying performance data suggested progress, although the reported extract gives no details of that data.