ERIK TEN HAG is facing a crucial few weeks as he desperately tries to kickstart Manchester United’s season amid problems on and off the pitch.
Defeat to Brighton on Saturday means the Red Devils have picked up just six points from five games and are 13th in the table.
To make matters worse there was a dressing room bust-up at the weekend with captain Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay at the heart of the dispute.
It adds to the list of growing concerns for Ten Hag, who is currently without Antony and Jadon Sancho due to separate off-field issues.
Several key players are unavailable through injury including Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane, while big-money siging Rasmus Hojlund is only just available and has been unable to complete 90 minutes.
Aaron Wan Bissaka is the latest player to be sidelined – the right-back faces weeks on the treatment table which leaves United short of options in defence.
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That is far from ideal for the Red Devils, with a trip to Bayern Munich up next on Wednesday in their first Champions League group game.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are unbeaten this season and with Harry Kane in their ranks they are one of the favourites to win the competition.
They have also dished out thrashings to a number of British teams in the past – famously beating Tottenham 7-2 on their own turf four years ago.
Defeat at the Allianz Arena would pile even more pressure on Ten Hag and his squad to beat Burnley, who showed promising signs in their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Monday.
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After that United face a double header with Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and the Prem, with both matches taking place at Old Trafford.
United won the Carabao Cup last season so exiting the competition early this time round could be difficult for fans and club chiefs to accept, particularly after splashing the cash on the likes of Hojlund and Mason Mount in the summer.
Galatasaray are another potential banana skin and a lot could be riding on the match if United lose to Bayern, with success in the Champions League integral to the club.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
