Ten Hag under scrutiny as Man Utd fight for Champions League survival

Manchester United’s future in this season’s Champions League hangs by a thread ahead of Bayern Munich’s visit to Old Trafford, with an early exit in Europe sure to put more scrutiny on manager Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman tried to argue after victory over Chelsea last week that United’s season has not reached crisis-mode.

But Ten Hag’s hopes that a turning point had been reached were short-lived as a 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday saw a troubled campaign reach a new low.

The Red Devils sit sixth in the Premier League after seven defeats in their opening 16 games.

Yet, while there may be time to recover a place in the top four domestically, their need in the Champions League is urgent.

Only victory against the German champions on Tuesday will give United any chance of progress to the last 16 and even then, they need FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray to draw in their final Group A match.

United are fortunate to even have a shot at the knockout stages after a return of just four points from their opening five matches.

No English side has ever conceded as many as the 14 goals that Ten Hag’s men have in five Champions League group games.

A series of high-scoring shootouts in Europe contrasts sharply with United’s troubles to score goals in the Premier League.

“We are really inconsistent. We have the abilities to do it, but you have to do it every game and every third day,” said Ten Hag after Bournemouth celebrated their first ever win at Old Trafford in style.

“I think as a squad we are not good enough to be consistent and we have to work as a squad to improve that.”

•⁠ ⁠Rashford’s demise –

No United forward has scored at home in the Premier League all season as Marcus Rashford’s demise has contributed to his side’s struggles.