It is one win in eight for Erik ten Hag, as Manchester United fell to the most frustrating of defeats against West Ham at the London Stadium.
A catalogue of squandered opportunities accompanied a bruised woodwork and a perplexing mindset of video officials as the home side celebrated a fortuitous 2-1 victory.
The result sees United in 14th position in the Premier League, seven points off the Champions League places, and equally as close to the drop.
Furthermore, it adds to a fire that is raging to see a change in the managerial hot seat at Old Trafford – one that may be coming very soon.
A desire to push through?
While few could point the finger at Ten Hag for his misfiring forwards or Diogo Dalot’s inability to hammer his effort into an open net, a lack of victories is stacking up against the Dutchman.
“We have to look in the mirror – we don’t score in a good game from our side,” the United manager said following the final whistle. “Create loads of chances and concede none, but when you lose in this way it’s a bad feeling.
“Six or seven 100 per cent chances we should have scored. But when we don’t score, we have to stay calm. All over, I don’t have so many criticisms about my team – other than not scoring.
“It’s not fair to pick one player [Dalot] out. I can also say Garnacho – twice, Hojlund – one time, Rashford, Bruno. So many were missing chances.”
Call a spade a spade: this run of form is unacceptable, and regardless of the reasoning behind the results, the manager will always be held accountable.
But my mindset will never change regarding this football club and its personnel. I support the manager, the players, and the coaching staff while they are there because every rival and his dog have been against them since day dot.
That said, Ten Hag is not without blame for a sequence of results that has returned a year without a win on the continent – while his Manchester United side sits in the bottom half of the table heading into November.
The role of a coach is to set his side up to maximise opportunities in possession while limiting the opposition to chances while they hold the ball. Ten Hag achieved this today.
It may be cliche, but goals win games, and this squad appears incapable of finding them. The manager has played his part in recruitment and is therefore partly responsible.
You can lament a Michael Oliver VAR decision and attempt to make sense of the complexities of a clear and obvious error, but the Reds should have been out of sight by that stage.
During conversations with club individuals this weekend, I was advised that chief officials want Ten Hag to succeed in the North West.
However, there is a recognition of a growing supporter frustration within Old Trafford – that is the fundamental worry tonight.
I have been a fan since the 80s and have had the privilege of covering the team for several years. The supporters are always the pivotal players in the managerial game.
At this moment, Ineos have an undeniable dilemma, and a willingness to see their manager succeed will be pushed to its limits.
It is two wins in the last 18 visits to London for this one-time perennial powerhouse, and a wounded supporter base is beginning to unite in frustration.
How do you feel following the latest defeat for Manchester United? Can you see Erik ten Hag surviving?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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