Following their loss to Galatasaray, Manchester United have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the Champions League. According to Crickex Affiliate data, the Red Devils currently sit at the bottom of their group—a dismal position by any standard. In the Premier League, their form hasn’t been much better, with the team languishing in 10th place and falling further behind the top-four race. As the pressure mounts, manager Erik ten Hag finds himself walking a tightrope.
The next four matches could very well determine his future. United will host Brentford, Copenhagen, and Manchester City, while traveling to face Sheffield United. The Manchester Derby will undoubtedly be a major test, but the other three fixtures are against less formidable opposition. With expectations sky-high, Ten Hag cannot afford another string of poor results. A performance like three wins and one draw might give him some breathing room, but anything less could signal the end of his tenure at Old Trafford. The upcoming games are shaping up to be a defining chapter for both the team and its embattled manager.
What’s more baffling, Crickex Affiliate experts note, is that after spending heavily during the summer transfer window, United’s performance has only declined compared to last season, when they managed a top-four finish. The club’s new signings, meant to rejuvenate the squad, have so far failed to make a meaningful impact. Chief among them is goalkeeper André Onana, whose form has come under intense scrutiny. Once full of fire and defiance—even lashing out at teammates like Harry Maguire—Onana now seems a shadow of himself, riddled with self-doubt and erratic play.
Instead of building on his strong performances from his Inter Milan days, Onana appears to have regressed, struggling to adapt and lacking the confidence that once defined him. In a club environment as high-pressure as Manchester United, regaining form becomes an uphill battle. Without the trust of teammates and under fire from fans, Onana’s situation reflects the team’s broader issues—confusion, instability, and low morale.
For Ten Hag, this creates a dual crisis: one on the field and another in the locker room. Not only must he overhaul tactics to turn the team’s fortunes around, but he also faces the emotional and psychological task of rebuilding trust and unity. As Crickex Affiliate reports, doubts are now surfacing among club executives and supporters alike about whether he’s still the right man for the job.
The Dutchman’s only lifeline is performance. Solid results could buy him time, but whether his players still have the will to fight for him remains an open question. Every story has an ending, but every ending is also a new beginning. And if history is anything to go by, few managers have found lasting success at Manchester United in the post-Ferguson era. Ten Hag’s story may soon join that long, winding list.