Manchester United could prove new Erik ten Hag truth in just 12 games

When Erik ten Hag disembarks the Manchester United coach on the corner of Holmesdale Road in south London on Saturday afternoon he might just get that cold feeling that can wash over someone when they return to the scene of a day they want to forget.

For Ten Hag, Selhurst Park is that venue. It's the stadium where he watched his first United game, the day before he officially took over as the club's new manager in May 2022, and the venue where he might have thought it had all come crashing down around him.

There have been 139 days since United reached rock bottom last season, a May Day Bank Holiday when the distress signals were being sent out of a team in crisis. In the immediate days after the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on May 6, the question wasn't whether Ten Hag would be sacked, but when he would be sacked.

ALSO READ: 'If they tell me to leave I'll leave' - United goalscorer opens up on his future

ALSO READ: United attack that scored six goals in 98 minutes can finally be unleashed

At that point you would have got decent odds on Ten Hag still being in charge in September. It was in the aftermath of that defeat that Ineos seriously started sounding out potential replacements, with feelers sent out to possible candidates and advice sought from those in the game about who they should approach.

But here we are, 11 games on from that debacle (if you include the Community Shield) and not only is Ten Hag still in charge at Old Trafford, but there is a growing sense he might just be turning a corner. Of those 11 games, six have been won, including an FA Cup final against Manchester City.

That was the game that ultimately kept the Dutchman in a job. Had United lost at Wembley there would be a different manager in the