Manchester United's backroom team are reportedly dismayed by some "pathetic" blunders from the squad, which they fear are unfairly ramping up the heat on manager Erik ten Hag whose position may soon be in jeopardy.
The pressure on Ten Hag has intensified following Sunday's crushing 3-0 defeat at the Old Trafford against Tottenham, plummeting United to an ungainly 13th spot in the Premier League standings.
With the Red Devils stumbling through their first six matches, suffering three losses and sitting on a goal difference of minus three and failing to find the net in their recent two league outings, there is growing concern within the club.
Spurs' relentless attacking in the latest debacle has left United's coaching personnel aghast, particularly with the worrying simplicity with which Spurs penetrated United's defence. That has prompted views that Spurs could have widened the margin even further.
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The lackadaisical approach from United's players seemed all too familiar as echoes of FC Twente slicing through them for an equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw in the Europa League resonated uncomfortably at Old Trafford.
A mere four days on and deja vu struck as Tottenham's Micky van De Ven carved through United's side unimpeded, in what became a pivotal moment setting the stage for Tottenham's comprehensive triumph.
The sense of disbelief was palpable among the coaching staff at Van de Ven's unchecked surge across the field before he delivered the assist for Brennan Johnson's strike.
A source within the coaching ranks allegedly labelled the defence's effort for that goal as "pathetic", amidst fears that if such lapses recur over the coming matches, it could culminate in Ten Hag's dismissal.
Ten Hag pinpointed United's defence as a key area for improvement in the summer transfer window, splashing out £107million on three defenders Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
Moreover, United shelled out £50m to secure defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte from PSG. However, the Uruguayan seemed far from match-ready during his Premier League debut on Sunday.
The next two matches for United an away game against Porto in the Europa League tomorrow and a clash with Aston Villa on Sunday are set to be pivotal for Ten Hag's future at the club, despite his insistence that the club's top brass continue to back him amidst a string of disappointing results.
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Newly-installed CEO Omar Berrada publicly expressed his and the club's unwavering support for Ten Hag just four weeks ago.
However, since then, United have only managed to secure victories in two out of six matches across all competitions against Southampton, who are battling relegation, and League One side Barnsley.
With each defeat and lacklustre performance, support for Ten Hag is dwindling, and it's expected that the United board will make a final decision regarding the 54-year-old's future after the upcoming two matches.
