When Manchester United lost 4-0 at Brentford in Erik ten Hag’s second game as manager last year, it felt as though their world was falling apart. Fourteen months on, United are preparing to face Brentford again at Old Trafford on Saturday, and the latest crisis feels considerably worse.
Six defeats in the opening 10 games of the season have plunged the club into turmoil after their worst start since Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson 37 years ago.
There are boos from the terraces, the players are low on confidence and Ten Hag desperately needs to stop the rot before it gets out of control.