Erik had credit in the bank but this is the crunch

TEN HAG'S GOT TO BE RIGHT ON THE MONEY

- CHRIS MCKENNA

ERIK ten Hag must know the time has come to show he is the man to take Manchester United forward.

It seemed the clock was ticking on his time in charge at Old Trafford after the Dutchman veered from one disastrous result to another this season.

His second campaign has been little short of calamitous after talk of a new trophy-laden era, with a Carabao Cup and a Champions League spot secured in his debut year.

That was probably enough to ensure he had enough credit in the bank to hold onto his job until now. 

And, certainly, there have been mitigating factors for United’s early exit from Europe and nine Premier League defeats – not least the horrendous injury list and the doubts around the club about the ownership.