Erik ten Hag is about to enter another crucial period as Manchester United boss with pressure building on the Dutchman.
It feels like Ten Hag has had several make-or-break moments over the past year as he fights to prove he can take United back to where they want to be. United's previous permanent manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer endured something similar with the Reds' legendary former striker appearing to be on the brink of getting sacked on numerous occasions before he was eventually dismissed.
Whilst Ten Hag is in no immediate danger of getting sacked, the pressure will reach stratospheric levels if United slip up to newly-promoted Southampton after the international break. The Saints have lost every game in the Premier League so far and have looked hopelessly out of their depth.
READ MORE: I’m a Man United legend and dream of managing them - my Old Trafford return is going to be special
READ MORE: 'Astronomical' - how Manchester United beat Man City and Chelsea to sign Casemiro replacement
Only a convincing win at St Mary's will keep the critics off Ten Hag's back for the time being. United are already in a situation where they must win after back-to-back defeats which have led to question marks over whether Ineos were right to back the club's under-fire manager.
And Ten Hag's comments soon after last weekend's devastating 3-0 defeat at home to Liverpool will have rung alarm bells. The former Ajax boss defended his record in charge of United, pointing to the League Cup and FA Cup trophies he has helped to deliver since arriving at Old Trafford in 2022.
"I don't think otherwise you wouldn't win trophies as we did against big opponents," he said when quizzed by a journalist about United's poor performances. "So
Football
Fighting
record
man
performer
rights
Citi
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer