Speaking in the aftermath of the borderline farcical defeat to FC Copenhagen, the Danish striker revealed: “I think everyone in the dressing room is behind him, so I think it’s only a matter of time (before things go our way).”

Though United ultimately lost last night, their defeat came largely at the incompetent hands of the officiating team, rather than anything the opposition did with their feet.

The opening twenty minutes of the match saw Ten Hag’s side take a two-goal lead, courtesy of two predatory finishes by Højlund.

United were in full control at this point with the Dane describing it as “some of the best football we have played this season.”

A series of bizarre VAR interventions then promptly turned the game on its head, with United losing a man, conceding a penalty and being subject to a series of further inexplicable decisions as they eventually ran out 4-3 losers.

A full report on the match can be found here, as well as a breakdown of the individual performances by the United team. Højlund’s efforts were sufficient enough for him to win The Peoples Person’s Man of the Match award.

The defeat left United bottom of their Champions League group, with qualification to the next round looking increasingly unlikely.

This would, in normal circumstances, be sufficient cause for an analysis of how a potential exit from a European competition at the hands of a Danish team may affect a manager’s position.

The decisions in the game were so overwhelmingly poor, however, that no inquest into Ten Hag’s tactics were launched. Indeed, even after his side were reduced to ten men and the Dutchman was able to recalibrate at the half-time interval, United were largely the better side in the second half, despite the numerical disadvantage.

Højlund was quick to praise his manager after the game, underscoring his quality as a coach and how much he has helped the Dane to develop in a short space of time.

“[Ten Hag] is a very good coach who thinks about the smallest details. He helps me a lot and gives me a lot of faith in things and supports me,” the Dane revealed.

Though it has been an undoubtedly disappointing start to the season for Ten Hag and his players, the fact that the Dutchman retains the support of the dressing room will be a key factor in the team turning things around.

A match against Luton at Old Trafford on Saturday appears the perfect place to start.

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A report by  SunSport reveals the words of an individual close to the club, who contends “Erik has Sir Alex’s unwavering support. He’s been hugely supportive of Erik since he arrived at the club.”

This faith has been earned through the considerable progress Ten Hag has produced at Old Trafford, with Sir Alex being particularly impressed at the manner in which he has “taken on big decisions.”

The Dutch manager has shown zero doubt or fear when making important calls during his first eighteen months at the helm at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo left the club following a dispute with the manager. David De Gea was decisively replaced by Andre Onana this summer, while Bruno Fernandes displaced Harry Maguire as captain. Even internal disputes have been quickly dealt with; positively in the case of Marcus Rashford and negatively in the case of Jadon Sancho.

While these individual decisions can be questioned, what cannot be is Ten Hag’s decisiveness.

The same source indicates “Sir Alex, like everyone else, wishes results were better this season” but refuses to blame the manager for the poor form. “He thinks those pointing at the manager and calling for a change are wrong.”

“[Ferguson] thinks he’s shown the kind of character and mentality required to turn the club around – and he firmly believes Erik deserves time, like he got, to make a success of things at the club. If consulted, that’s a position he would be prepared to make clear to any new investors who come into the football club.”

This last part – of Sir Alex’s intention to back the manager to any new investors – may prove particularly impactful for Ten Hag’s long-term future.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears set to be confirmed as a new minority owner of the club, assuming control of the football operation at Old Trafford in the process.

Comprehensive changes to the sporting structure of United are expected as a result, though initial reports suggest the INEOS owner and his team are impressed by Ten Hag and wish to work with the Dutchman, rather than without.

Regardless, having a figure such as Sir Alex Ferguson in your corner can only be a positive.

The great Scot knows exactly what steps are required to turn United around, and he appears to believe Ten Hag is an integral part of that process.

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The Football Writers’ Association awards for northern managers was held on Sunday and attended by Ten Hag following his team’s successful away day in London.

The Dutchman described how “grateful” he was to the Writers’ Association for the award and his players should still take pride in winning a trophy, even if it is a more minor one.

“What we achieved last year with the Carabao Cup, it was small, and we achieved an FA Cup final, which still hurts, but it’s not enough, but many managers and many players know, it’s not so often you win many trophies.

“But once you win such a trophy, you have to celebrate it because it’s a very special moment which is not given to so many. So we did that, and we are still really pleased with it, but it’s not enough at Manchester United. We have higher targets and we have to go and get there.”

Great he turned up. Unlike others.

— David McDonnell (@DiscoMirror) November 6, 2023

United’s manager was given particular praise by journalists at the event for taking the time to attend and support the Association in person. Iain Dennis (BBC) stated the Dutchman “spoke so well.”

Ten Hag also took the time to send a message to United fans, stressing how he is convinced his team are moving in the “right direction,” despite their rocky start to the season.

November represents arguably the most important month of the Dutch manager’s career to date. Five fixtures – Fulham (A), Copenhagen (A), Luton (H), Everton (H) and Galatasaray (A) – which could make or break United’s season, and are all eminently winnable.

Ten Hag has got off to a good start, beating Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday, despite a less than vintage performance. But this will have to be followed up by four more victories this month if his side are to both climb the Premier League table and qualify from their Champions League group.

If they do so, Ten Hag may be deserving of yet another award, such is the mountain of difficulties he’s faced this season. 

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According to The Daily Mail, United officials have made the decision to slash extra hours for members of staff who work on maintaining the Old Trafford pitch, training grounds and other facilities.

It has been indicated that such a move stands to reduce the salaries of some of the lowest-paid staff by almost 50%.

United have defended the action and indicated that it’s meant to ensure their employees remain fresh and get enough time off in addition to increasing flexibility.

The Mail explains that a member of staff insisted that morale is at an “all-time low” even as the club endures its worst start to a season since 1962/63.

It’s understood that new contracts have already been dished out with the threat of possible job termination in case one refuses to sign.

Mike Keegan explains that a majority of the ground staff earn around £20,000 and £30,000 per year, a figure that can be boosted by as much as £15,000 with additional bonuses.

Apparently, some of those affected have started looking for second jobs to offset what they may lose under the club’s new arrangements.

As per The Mail, the move has been implemented by Annie Hale, United’s human resources director. United insist that new bonuses have been introduced and the changes were brought about following a 7% pay rise.

An insider said, “It’s an absolute disgrace. We are talking about people who love Manchester United, the fabric of the club, who have been there for years. They work incredibly hard because, despite who is at the top, it is their club. Almost everyone relies on overtime because it is not a well-paid job.”

“Doing this — especially during a cost of living crisis — is not just heartless, it is reckless. They are penny-pinching from those who need it most, chopping salaries of some of the lowest-paid members of staff in half.”

“It is yet another example of how detached those in positions of power are from the rank and file. ‘The money they will save is peanuts in the grand scheme. When you look at what players earn, and how much they have spent on flops, it’s sickening.”

A representative speaking on behalf of United pointed out, “We recognise the significant role the green staff play in delivering one of the best playing surfaces in football. Our review is aimed at protecting the welfare of staff and providing greater flexibility.”

“We are seeking to modernise terms and ways of working with employees who work irregular hours around the demands of the football schedule. It is good practice to review historic employment terms to ensure we remain competitive and reward staff appropriately, particularly those who spend anti-social hours working hard behind the scenes.”

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United are eighth in the Premier League and are struggling for goals, scoring the lowest amount among the top-12 sides in the division.

They have fared little better in the Champions League, hanging on by a thread after their hard-fought victory over Copenhagen. They need to beat the Danes away from home if they are to remain alive in the competition.

ETH under increasing pressure

Manager Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure with multiple outlets relaying that he could be sacked imminently if the club’s form continues to nosedive.

United, on their part, are said to be backing the Dutchman unequivocally but things could change once Sir Jim Ratcliffe comes on board as the new minority shareholder.

The INEOS founder is close to acquiring a 25% stake and is expected to be handed control in terms of sporting matters and he could be the one to decide Ten Hag’s fate.

There are already plans to change the footballing structure with competent people to be hired behind-the-scenes and a new manager could also be in the pipeline.

As per Football Insider, the British billionaire wants Roberto De Zerbi to take over from the former Ajax coach after his scintillating stint at Brighton and Hove Albion.

After taking over from Graham Potter last season, the Seagulls have impressed one and all with their attractive style of play and superior scouting.

The Italian manager also ensured that Brighton qualified for Europe and he is hot property at the moment. United could pounce sooner rather than later.

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to sack Man United manager Erik ten Hag and replace him with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, sources have told Football Insider.

De Zerbi to take over United?

“It is believed the decision has been provisionally made to dismiss Ten Hag, regardless of forthcoming results – including the Saturday lunchtime (4 November) kick-off away at Fulham.

“Any replacement for Ten Hag will be charged with completely overhauling the club’s playing style after a dreadful start to the 2023-24 campaign.”

De Zerbi deserves praise for changing Brighton’s style of play and making them a fearless bunch but greater managers have failed at United due to the lack of proper structure and backing from the owners.

Ten Hag deserves more time after a fantastic debut season and with the proper backing and expertise, he can definitely be the man to take the club back to the top.

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They sit currently eighth in the Premier League table with a negative goal difference, third in their Champions League group with a negative goal difference, and were recently dispatched from the Carabao Cup by a reserve Newcastle side in humiliating fashion.

There is no amount of contortion or context which can placate how awful a start Erik ten Hag‘s side have endured, with the performances often having been worse than the results. Even the victories United have managed to achieve have largely come in games they did not deserve to win.

It has not been a pretty picture off the pitch either.

In recent weeks, it appears the tide has been turning against the dogmatic Dutchman, after he had enjoyed such a successful debut season in England. The feelings of positivity surrounding the club over the summer have been vanquished, replaced by an all too familiar feeling of unease and unrest.

Rumours of dressing room discontent have rearer their ugly head. Reports linking the club to other managers have emerged in the press. Suggestions Ten Hag is on “thin ice” with the executive branch at Old Trafford were quickly refuted by the club, just as they were for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and for Jose Mourinho before him, and for Louis Va…you get the picture.

This whirlwind of public negativity is, therefore, not a novel experience for the club. Rather, it is a continuation of the exact same playbook which has claimed the jobs of every United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Ten Hag simply looks like the next victim in a horror film we’ve all seen before.

Yet, while the Dutch manager cannot, and should not, be exonerated completely for the dismal displays this season, he has earned more than enough goodwill from last season to be given the chance to steady a sinking ship; particularly when the almost unprecedented injury crisis he has faced is factored in.

And there are a range of statistics in comparison to his predecessors to prove why he should not join them on the P45 list, but rather be the first manager to break the post-Fergie curse.

Manchester United Manager’s Records

(Stats provided by The Daily Mail)

The immediate stand outs from this list are four-fold.

One – Ralf Rangnick’s tenure was as close to a complete disaster as you can possibly imagine.

Two – the best attacking unit a manager has been able to cultivate at Old Trafford since Sir Alex was his former pupil, Solskjaer.

Three – the best defensive record a manager has been able to achieve was, naturally, Mourinho’s. The fact he was also able to generate the joint second-best attacking return gives some credence to his assessment of his second season at Old Trafford being one of the “best jobs” in his illustrious career.

Four – Ten Hag’s win record is comfortably ahead of his predecessors. In fact, he even trumps Sir Alex (59.7%). Yet his ability to get his team to be effective at either end of the pitch – to score goals and to prevent them – is arguably the worst on the list, bar Rangnick. How does it make sense?

Last Season vs This Season

This season has proved a marked difference to the joy United fans were experiencing last year – a season in which it felt like the club had finally turned a corner. And that difference in emotion bears out statistically.

If the table above was adjusted to only include Ten Hag’s first season in charge, his record would look like this:

• Matches Played = 62
• Won = 41
• Drawn = 9
• Loss = 12
• Goals for = 108
• Goals scored per game = 1.74
• Goals against = 64
• Goals conceded per game = 1.03

More goals scored per game, less goals conceded per game, and an impressive win percentage of 66.1%. When you throw in a Carabao Cup win, a comfortable third place finish and an FA Cup Final, it shows Ten Hag was able to covert his statistical success into competitive triumph.

If the table was adjusted to only include this season, we begin to unpack the contrast between in the table above.

• Matches Played = 15
• Won = 7
• Drawn = 0
• Loss = 8
• Goals for = 20
• Goals scored per game = 1.25
• Goals against = 25
• Goals conceded per game = 1.67

A collection of numbers which makes Rangnick’s time at Old Trafford look a success.

Injuries vs Evolution

So evidently this season has skewed the statistics, particularly from a defensive perspective. But United’s performances this season make more sense when the injury crisis which has besieged the squad is considered.

Ten Hag has, for large parts of the season, been deprived of his first-choice back four. He’s also been without many of the first-choice reserves, relying on a hastily agreed loan deal for a Tottenham reject and a reincarnated Jonny Evans on a free to make up the numbers.

Simultaneous to these injury woes, Ten Hag has been attempting to install the next stage of his continued evolution of his United team.

Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund were the three major signings in the summer, targeted at the behest of the Dutch manager. The commonality between their profiles are ones which lend themselves towards a high-octane, press-heavy style which attempts to put the opposition on the back foot.

Ten Hag spoke in the summer, at great length, about wanting to see United become the “best transition team in the world.” It’s a vision which, in his own words, honours both the DNA of the club, but also the strengths of his squad.

While this tactical choice has not borne fruits in terms of results, or even performances, there are a number of metrics which suggest United are moving in the direction their manager wants. This direction has been reliant upon a tweaked midfield set up however; one which has not seemingly lent itself towards one of the pillars of United’s success last season – Casemiro.

The Brazilian behemoth appears to have aged ten years in the space of a summer such is the contrast between his performance level this season versus last.

Casemiro was most effectively deployed last season in a 4-2-3-1 system with Christian Eriksen alongside him, whose intelligence and technical ability allowed him to be the primary source of ball progression from deep.

This freed up Casemiro to an extent, who was able to focus on midfield security or, if the situation permitted, striding forward himself. Five goals and six assists is an impressive return for a defensive midfielder in any league, let alone the Premier League.

This season, however, has seen Eriksen replaced by Mason Mount, with a more classical 4-3-3 formation being utilised. At the beginning of the season, Mount played almost as another number ten, alongside Bruno Fernandes, high up the pitch. The intention was to enforce the press-heavy style Ten Hag wishes to see; the reality was something far different.

Casemiro was left isolated, tasked with the role of progressing the ball from deep, as well as providing the midfield steel he is renowned for. As a result, he was seemingly unable to do either. The opening day fixture against Wolves most eminently demonstrated this issue, with the away side producing the most shots on United’s goal at Old Trafford for nearly two decades.

There are, therefore, two competing reasons why United have appeared so dysfunctional this season, which have coalesced to produce the historically poor start.

Ten Hag is attempting to implement a new style of football without the foundation of defensive strength he enjoyed last season. United’s new midfield structure would always take time to teethe; without the protection of a strong defence this teething process has devolved into a full on cavity.

The results speak for themselves.

The Argument for Patience 

There are a host of reasons to be justifiably worried by Ten Hag’s choices during his time at Old Trafford.

The recruitment has not improved the squad at a level commensurate with the money spent. Nearly £400 million has been invested on, for the most part, Ten Hag’s first-choice signings. Yet the team still feels like it has deficiencies in the same areas of the pitch as before the Dutchman was appointed.

To have started the derby against Manchester City with your £85 million winger (Antony) and your £60 million midfielder (Mount) on the bench, with Eriksen and Scott McTominay essentially playing in their place, is a clear admission of incompetent prolifigacy.

Similarly, the decision to pursue a transitional style of play, with Casemiro as a solitary deep-lying playmaker, behind two number tens (Fernandes and Mount) who operate best in the same area, appears misguided.

Yet how successful can any manager be when fielding a second-string defensive unit every game?

Mauricio Pochettino has endured a difficult start to life as Chelsea manager. His side sit currently 11th in the table with three draws and four losses from their opening ten games. While performances have actually been positive, results have not. It’s no surprise, therefore, that Pochettino has been without Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell, as well as Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah, for most of these games.

Jurgen Klopp suffered a similar experience to Ten Hag in the 2021/22 season. Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez were all ruled out during a period which saw Liverpool lose six times in the league across seven games; Sheffield United being the only side Klopp’s makeshift defence could overcome. The German faced questions strikingly similar to the ones being asked of Ten Hag.

Mikel Arteta’s title charge fell apart last season when William Saliba was ruled out for the run-in with an injury, resulting in Arsenal surrendering first position in the Premier League after having enjoyed it for 93% of the season prior. And that was just one member of his back four. Try the entire unit Mikel!

Even Pep Guardiola – whose City side were lauded to an almost nauseous level following the derby given there was zero mention of the 115 charges of financial breaches levelled against the club – lost three domestic games in a row only a month ago. The cause? A red card to Rodri – the player who functions as the defensive lynchpin of the midfield – and an injury to John Stones.

Ten Hag is, therefore, not alone in experiencing a string of abject performances and poor results when confronted with defensive absences.

United’s manager deserves to be afforded the time for his defence to return from injury before any definitive judgements are cast on his long-term future. Ten Hag was too successful in his first season, as demonstrated in the aforementioned table, to completely write off his second, when the defensive crisis is factored into the equation.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka played for the first time in two months against Newcastle and was a rare bright spot in an otherwise  appalling team display. Luke Shaw is scheduled to return towards the end of this month, while Raphael Varane is recovering from illness, and is potentially available to play this weekend. Lisandro Martinez won’t be available until the new year as he continues to recover from surgery.

Three out of four ain’t bad.

Ten Hag will have to hope it’s enough to see his side turn a very abrupt corner, and quick. With five winnable fixtures on the horizon – Fulham (A), Copenhagan (A), Luton (H), Galatasaray (A) and Everton (H) – the stage is set for United to rescue the season. Their manager will be hoping a rejuvenated defensive unit will be the foundation from which the rescue mission is launched.

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Despite a heartfelt interview by Scott McTominay yesterday insisting everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet, report after report is emerging about discontent and the most damning of all comes from the most trustworthy source of all, The Athletic.

The football-specialist outlet is well-known for its reliability and whilst that does not make it right 100% of the time, if The Athletic says something is happening, it usually is.

On reports of dressing room dissatisfaction with the manager, The Athletic says “there is a growing feeling of unrest within the squad, with some players beginning to lose faith in him.” Several reasons are cited:

• “Ten Hag’s intensity, which was widely lauded and seen as a positive last season, is now being viewed as a problem.”
• Ten Hag’s press conference comment that he substituted Casemiro at half time against Brentford because he wanted to “play more football” “did not go down well inside the dressing room.”
• The report also states that there were “raised eyebrows” at the manager’s decision to play Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans ahead of Raphael Varane for the Manchester derby.
• Ten Hag’s handling of Jadon Sancho, who has been exiled after criticising his manager on social media, has also not gone down well with some players.
• Harry Maguire is also said to have been “bruised by efforts to get rid of him in the summer.”
• Ten Hag is accused of “lacking charisma” by the players, none of whom he has a good personal relationship with.

Despite all this, The Athletic says that while there is no longer “universal confidence in his abilities among those with connections to United,” Ten Hag’s job is probably safe for now.

The club’s imminent investment from INEOS means that the decision to hire or fire the Dutchman is likely to be put on hold until the new decision makers are in place.

The Athletic’s report corroborates that of The MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, who said that “doubts are growing [among the players] over Erik ten Hag’s management.”

What is even more concerning in that report is that it claims there is “simmering resentment among certain players towards teammates.”

According to The Sun, Ten Hag “has ordered his players to have one-to-one sessions with him to mend Manchester United’s broken dressing room.”

Whether he will be able to repair the damage and rebuild the team harmony that was so refreshing to see last season remains to be seen.

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The Peoples Person earlier reported, via The Times, that United had been in touch with prospective candidates, including Ruben Amorim and Zinedine Zidane.

It was a contingency plan in case results didn’t turn around under the current manager.

Now, Fabrizio Romano reports that United have denied any such claims, calling these stories “categorically false”.

Manchester United deny any idea or contact to replace Erik ten Hag with new head coach.

Club sources guarantee stories on new manager are ‘categorically false’. pic.twitter.com/gy0uOQkKC4

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2023

Romano said that United have had no contact, and haven’t even entertained the idea of replacing the manager, let alone touching base with potential alternatives.

Despite a nightmare start to the season, Ten Hag retains the trust of the board and the fans due to the encouraging performance of the team last season.

United ended their trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and were back in the Champions League.

However, Ten Hag is quickly using up all the credit he has in his bank with each bad result and even worse performance.

Boos from United fans at games have become a common sight and Old Trafford as a fortress under the manager has been repeatedly breached this season.

Although players have bore the brunt of criticism in a departure from the norm under previous managers, the Dutchman is finally copping flak for some of his decisions.

Be it confusing team selections, trying the same things tactically that have failed him multiple times this year, or huge misses in the transfer market, the worst of Ten Hag as manager has come to the fore this season.

His future does look secure for now, especially due to incoming changes at the top level anyway with Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking sporting control of the club soon.

However, if results don’t turn around soon, this statement by United, as reported by Romano, could well be remembered as the dreaded “Vote of confidence” before the inevitable axe falls on the man in the dugout.

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He came into this season with the hopes of building on an encouraging last season, armed with seven new signings but the reality has been quite different.

After the embarrassing 0-3 loss to Newcastle made it two home losses on the bounce, The Times reports that Ten Hag is now on “thin ice” with the United board.

United sit eighth in the Premier League table while their performances have been even worse. They’re already out of the Carabao Cup and on current form, could well lose to Copenhagen next week to end their European campaign.

In such a scenario, the board is concerned with his ability to turn it all around, having identified two elite alternatives.

Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and serial Champions League winner Zinedine Zidane are reportedly admired by the board as Ten Hag’s future becomes increasingly bleak.

However, no immediate action in this regard is expected due to an upcoming upheaval at the top level.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s bid to acquire 25% of the club and take control of sporting matters means that the final decision on the manager’s future could lie on him.

That is because Richard Arnold, the current decision-maker at Old Trafford, could leave Old Trafford once Ratcliffe brings his own people, like Jean-Claude Blanc.

Erik ten Hag’s job was not thought to be under threat with the change in executive regime but results under him will need to turn for the positive soon.

Amorim and Zidane are both attractive options, mainly for the style of football they have coached at their clubs. Ten Hag was also once thought to be from the attacking school of football but United have looked laboured and ancient in attack.

The manager’s next test will be away against Fulham in the early kick-off on Saturday. As the injury list shrinks, the mitigating factors do too, and a win is sorely needed.

Otherwise, it will be the curtailing of another false dawn at United post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

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An ever-rising injury toll aside, what has let United and manager Erik ten Hag down the most is the underperformance from their big-name players who shone bright last campaign.

Chief among them being Casemiro, who has looked like a shadow of the player who joined the club last season and at times, single-handedly raised the level of the squad.

For some reason, this term, the Brazilian has concentrated more on the attacking aspect of his game while abandoning his primary post of guarding the backline.

Casemiro poor defensively

This has led to United conceding a lot from cutbacks on the edge of the box with the former Real Madrid superstar unable to cover as he has been caught further forward.

He was once again poor on the night against the Magpies and was hooked at half-time for the second game running.

But by concentrating on the attacking part of his game, the 31-year-old has emerged as the unlikely top-scorer for the team so far with four goals in all competitions.

Most of his strikes have come via set-piece routines and the defensive midfielder lauded the impact of Eric Ramsay, who is the club’s set-piece coach, for the upturn in goals from dead-ball situations.

In an interview for the United Review, the 31-year-old praised the work of the coach appointed by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He said, “There’s no doubt that this [scoring from set pieces] is something we’ve been working on a lot.

“Eric Ramsay works hard on dead-ball situations, and he’s at the club for this very reason. He deserves credit for the work he’s done, indicating to us where we can hurt them the most. I think that the coaching staff have played a big role in this regard.

“Of course, those stats you mentioned are important [four goals in 11 games], especially for me given that I’m a defensive midfielder, but anything I can contribute to the team is really important to me. I’m always trying to help out.

“Obviously, my main aim isn’t to score. I have other duties. However, if I can chip in with goals from set-pieces and contribute to the team in this way then that counts for a lot.

Offensively solid Casemiro hails Ramsay

“The credit shouldn’t just be given to the players and the specific player who scores, but the coaching staff as well.”

Even in his absence, the team has fared little better with Sofyan Amrabat struggling to adapt to the fast-paced nature of the Premier League.

United fans will be hoping Ten Hag can help Casemiro regain his form and somehow help United salvage this campaign which is going from bad to worse each week.

The defending champions are already out of the Carabao Cup and an exit from the Champions League at the group stages would make it difficult for Ten Hag to survive in the hot seat for too long.

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