Amid a reported rift within the Manchester United dressing room, Erik ten Hag faces mounting pressure, with indications suggesting he has a three-game ultimatum to salvage his managerial position. Following the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, several players are said to be disillusioned with Ten Hag’s leadership.
The Red Devils are set for a crucial run of matches, beginning with a clash against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Subsequently, they will host an in-form Bournemouth side on Saturday, followed by a must-win Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich.
The Champions League fixture holds added significance as United’s progression to the knockout stage hangs in the balance.
While three points against Bayern Munich may not guarantee advancement, it remains a critical fixture in the team’s campaign. Should United fail to secure positive results in the upcoming trio of matches, Arsenal legend Paul Merson predicts that Ten Hag might not be at the helm when they face archrivals Liverpool on December 17.
In his Sportskeeda predictions column, Merson expressed skepticism about Ten Hag’s tenure if United were to lose against Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Bayern Munich.
He acknowledged the potential for a turnaround, particularly against a Chelsea side with defensive vulnerabilities and a Bayern Munich team already through to the Round of 16.
Merson, critical of United’s performance in their recent loss to Newcastle, labeled it as one of the most one-sided meetings he has ever witnessed. Describing the display as embarrassing, he highlighted the apparent lack of effort from the players.
The former Arsenal player questioned United’s defensive stability, citing the concession of three goals against Galatasaray and the possibility of eight against Newcastle.
While predicting a 3-3 draw with Chelsea, Merson emphasized the need for improvement, expressing disbelief at the manner in which United played and the effort put forth in the Newcastle encounter.
Ten Hag, set to address the media before the Chelsea game, remains confident in his squad’s ability to reverse their fortunes after enduring ten defeats in 21 games across all competitions this season.
Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho acknowledged the need to rectify their recent form, expressing confidence in the team’s strength and highlighting their capacity to bounce back, as demonstrated after the previous loss to Manchester City.
As speculation looms over Ten Hag’s future, the upcoming fixtures will undoubtedly shape the narrative of Manchester United’s season and the manager’s tenure.
