The pressure is mounting for Erik ten Hag with problems arising both on and off the pitch. Manchester United have got off to a disastrous start to their 2023/2024 campaign with four losses from their opening six matches.
Behind the scenes, things aren’t faring well either. Jadon Sancho was recently ousted from the Red Devils first-team after an explosive falling out with Ten Hag.
Meanwhile, Antony has been granted a leave of absence by the club amid an investigation into allegations of domestic violence. The feeling around Manchester United at the moment is the worst it has ever been.
Fans continue to protest over the Glazer’s insistence on remaining in charge for at least another eighteen months while the Old Trafford faithful are growing tired of their team’s poor run of form. Clearly, Ten Hag is in need of a break as he enters a crucial seven-game stretch against the likes of Burnley, Crystal Palace (twice), Galatasaray, Brentford, Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen.
If things aren’t looking rosier by the end of that stretch then Ten Hag could be out of a job. But the former Ajax boss will receive a welcome boost heading into the set of must-win fixtures.
United have important first-team players Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Rafael Varane set to come back imminently. All three have been sidelined by injury but are close to full fitness.
Mount and Varane are due back for Saturday’s clash against Premier League new boys Burnley while Amrabat may also make his long-awaited debut for the club at Turf Moor after Ten Hag floated around the possibility of him being ready for last night’s game against Bayern Munich.
Unfortunately, he did not play but was seen training with the squad ahead of the game and it appears the 27-year-old’s injury isn’t particularly serious judging from Ten Hag’s recent comments. He said: “He came back unfortunately with injury, so he was not available [against Brighton], but on the short notice [soon], yes, I’m sure we will all get joy from them [new signings].”
