
We're not even at the end of September and already Ten Hag has been through the cycles of a United manager this term. Two successive defeats had him staring down the barrel. Two convincing victories in a row had him back on track. Now two successive draws leave him back to square one.
It's worth asking the question: is there any point to this any more?
Every performance, every result, every run of form is being framed around the future of a manager who came as close as possible to being sacked this summer, without actually being sacked.
But while Ten Hag might have survived Ineos' end-of-season review, the slapdash nature of a public search for a replacement before backtracking and keeping faith with the man you had lost faith in fatally undermined him.
He has been a dead man walking ever since and at some point Ineos will almost certainly need to hold their hands up, admit their mistakes and move on.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In

NEXT STOP... FIVE CLUBS FOR RASH
MARCUS Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave United.

Manager reveals Garna is 'upset' over derby snub
RUBEN Amorim has revealed Alejandro Garnacho is ‘a little bit upset with him’ over his omission from the United squad against City on Sunday.

Amorim: Rash should have told me privately he wanted to leave
UNITED head coach Ruben Amorim has told Marcus Rashford he should have told him privately that he wanted to leave the club.

'There is nothing to celebrate when United cash in on a hitherto one-club man, but they have to
LITTLE that Dan Ashworth said or did has aged well at United but one quote endures.

Erl looks stronger than ever regardless of City's struggles
IN another season, the City medical team would be giving themselves a pat on the back.

Say what you like about Walker but he always fronts up despite poor results
KYLE Walker deserves plenty of criticism for his form this season but some of it has been over the top.

CITY'S TEST AT VILLA IS HUGE
CITY players will have returned to training yesterday with both hope and dread.

Reds boss should look to the Etihad to see how to deal with wantaways...
UNITED should be riding high after their derby win at the Etihad Stadium.

Keely is the 'real deal' - Lord Coe
WORLD Athletics president Lord Coe is convinced “real deal” and newly-crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year Keely Hodgkinson has already ascended to British great status.

Roots of our festive traditions
BRINGING plants into the house to celebrate the festive season has long been part of our Christmas tradition.