Nov 2 (Reuters) - Former Manchester ⁠United manager Erik ten Hag said relegation is a real ⁠possibility for the club due to the strength of the ‌Premier League, after a 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday left them one spot above the drop zone.

United are 17th with seven points from nine games, above Crystal ​Palace in the final relegation spot on goal ⁠difference, and are winless ⁠in their last nine matches, their longest run without a victory since ⁠1984, ‌according to data firm Opta.

The United board decided to stick with current manager Michael Carrick for the Chelsea game despite ⁠a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth and a 4-1 ​drubbing at Como ‌in the Champions League in the lead-up to the match.

Asked ⁠about the possibility ​of United being relegated for the first time in over half a century, Ten Hag told ESPN: "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."

Ten Hag arrived at United in 2022 and guided them to an FA Cup and League Cup trophy during his tenure before being sacked in 2024.

"Before we arrived, six years ​without winning a trophy," said the Dutch ⁠manager, who was named FC Twente's technical director ahead of the 2026-27 ​season. "Look where they are now."

United next host ‌AS Roma in the Champions League on ​Tuesday, before facing Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)