Manchester United have reportedly set Erik ten Hag a deadline to turn around the club’s sinking fortunes after their 3-0 defeat by Tottenham.
The fixture list does not relent for the Dutchman this week, with trips to Porto in the Europa league and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
United’s top executives apparently still back Ten Hag but have acknowledged that a ‘swift reaction’ is needed from his players.
The Red Devils are languishing 12th in the Premier League and the heat is reaching boiling point following three games without a win.
Ten Hag must turn things around this week or risks facing the sack, as per The Telegraph.
Erik ten Hag reportedly has this week to turn around Man United’s form or he risks the sack
Top executives still back him but results must improve quickly ((L-R, top) Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox)
United were second best for the entire game on Sunday as they were schooled by Spurs
An international break will follow United’s visit to Villa Park on Sunday and the club’s hierarchy could decide to make a change during that period.
Board director Sir Dave Brailsford, sporting director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Omar Berrada, and technical director Jason Wilcox looked concerned as they watched United on Sunday.
Goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke were enough to sink the ship, while Bruno Fernandes was handed the first red card of his United career to make matters worse.
The Telegraph claims that there are no immediate plans to switch out the manager and that the focus is on supporting him and the squad.
Ten Hag himself said as much. Asked if he fears for his future, he said: ‘No, I’m not thinking about this. We all made this decision to stay together, as an ownership, as a leadership group in the summer.
‘Also we made the decision from a clear review what we have to improve as an organisation, but we knew it will take some time.
‘We are all on one page, or in one boat, together – the ownership, the leadership group, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that concern. Of course, there is always a new game, it will be a new day. We will bounce back.’
The pundits decoding the latest debacle were not so sure.
Former United captain Gary Neville blasted United’s performance as ‘disgusting’
Alan Shearer (left) has branded Man United ‘b****y awful’ while Gary Lineker (right) thinks the players look like ‘lost souls’ after their 3-0 defeat by Tottenham
Pressure is piling on Erik ten Hag with United sitting 12th in the Premier League six games in
‘Probably one of the worst halves I’ve seen under Ten Hag and that’s saying something,’ said Gary Neville. ‘[Ten Hag] can’t believe what he’s watching. I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s awful. It really is bad.
‘I suspect there were better Sunday league teams this morning that what we’ve seen from United this first half. Pub football.’
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer told The Rest Is Football: ‘Spurs were by miles the better team. They were up for it more than Man United were. They started really well, were the better team, and I thought Man United were shambolic, awful, and lucky to get away with three.
‘What are they? Can anyone tell me: what are Man United? What is their system, what is their plan? Do they sit? Do they attack? Do they press? I haven’t got a clue what they are. They’re a mess.’
After Micah Richards claimed United were ‘inconsistent,’ Shearer hit back: ‘Inconsistent? They’re 12th in the league. That means they’re not inconsistent – that means they’re b****y awful.’
United’s record of two wins, a draw, and three defeats is identical to how they started under David Moyes in the 2013-14 season – and fans know how that one turned out.