Jamie Carragher launches surprise Erik ten Hag defence as Man United's real issue is pointed out

Jamie Carragher believes it will be difficult for Erik ten Hag to see out the season at Manchester United - but insists he has sympathy for the Dutchman after he was "hung out to dry" by the club's owners.

Sunday's goalless draw against Aston Villa resigned United to their worst start to a Premier League season after they tallied just seven points from eight games and suffered heavy home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

The club's poor start to the new season comes just months after Ten Hag oversaw United's worst-ever Premier League campaign as they limped to an eighth-place finish, eight points off the Champions League places.

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And even after masterminding a shock 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup back in May, Ten Hag was expected to lose his job at Old Trafford as the club's owners reportedly held talks with several potential successors.

However, Carragher believes the writing is on the wall for Ten Hag as he predicted United to sack the Dutchman in the months ahead.

"I think he'll find it tough to come out of the next international break still as manager. Listen, if the results turn, of course, he will. The thing with Manchester United it's not just about results, actually. I think for a long time, it's actually been about performances," Carragher told Sky Sports.

"And a lot of time when they get results, it felt fortunate in some ways. I think last season, it felt like Scott McTominay got so many last-minute goals for them.

"You know, sooner or later, if the performances don't improve, they can't get sustained results. They might get a