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Manchester United have made their worst start to a season in 61 years and pressure is mounting on manager Erik ten Hag.<\/p>\n
Here, the PA news agency has a look at what has gone wrong, the issues at play and what is next for the stumbling Red Devils.<\/p>\n
\u2013 How has the campaign started for United?<\/strong><\/p>\n Dreadfully. Ten Hag\u2019s side papered over the cracks with an unconvincing three-game winning streak, before two 3-0 home humblings in the space of four days brought them crashing down to earth.<\/p>\n Neighbours Manchester City could easily have won Sunday\u2019s Old Trafford derby by a greater margin and the manner in which the holders bowed out of the Carabao Cup against Newcastle in the repeat of February\u2019s final only compounded matters.<\/p>\n \u2013 How bad have United been?<\/strong><\/p>\n Underwhelming, jumbled performances have led to results that make for grim reading.<\/p>\n The defeat to City meant United have lost five of their opening 10 Premier League matches \u2013 their most at the start of a league campaign since 1986-87.<\/p>\n Newcastle then inflicted their eighth defeat in 15 matches in all competitions, making it their worst start to a season since 1962-63.<\/p>\n \u2013 Are there any mitigating factors?<\/strong><\/p>\n Injuries have been a constant issue for United this season, with the defence particularly impacted by absentees.<\/p>\n That has unbalanced a side lacking confidence and depth, albeit to an extent few could have foreseen.<\/p>\n A tough early schedule did not help matters, nor has the off-field issues that have provided constant background noise.<\/p>\n The potential takeover process also continues to provide a major cloud over a club paying for the Glazers\u2019 longstanding lack of effective leadership.<\/p>\n \u2013 What is the latest on the ownership?<\/strong><\/p>\n Wholly unpopular since their leveraged buyout in 2005, there was hope the Glazer family would leave when United announced a strategic review last November.<\/p>\n But frustrated Sheikh Jassim recently pulled out of the interminable process, leaving Sir Jim Ratcliffe looking set to purchase around 25 per cent of the club.<\/p>\n The Ineos founder\u2019s team are still awaiting updates and nothing has been formally finalised, but the deal would see them have a significant say in sporting matters.<\/p>\n There are certainly areas on the football side that need a shake-up and they will be keeping a close eye on the managerial situation.<\/p>\n \u2013 What has gone wrong under Ten Hag?<\/strong><\/p>\n Ten Hag ended United\u2019s six-year wait for silverware by lifting the Carabao Cup in his first season, but the afterglow of that promising campaign has long since gone out.<\/p>\n The Dutchman rather concerningly given his successes with Ajax, has been unable to establish a clear playing style and his selections have at times been as iffy as some of his signings. Antony, for example, has got nowhere near to fulfilling his eye-watering price tag.<\/p>\n There have been reports of disquiet in the dressing room about the meticulous disciplinarian, who has banished Jadon Sancho from the first-team.<\/p>\n He said on Wednesday night that the misfiring team need to \u201cstand up\u201d and work \u201cshoulder by shoulder\u201d.<\/p>\n