Questions continue to be asked about Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United and Steve McClaren has revealed the precise moment he felt the Dutchman might have lost his job at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has been United boss since the summer of 2022, joining from Dutch outfit Ajax and enjoyed a solid first season at Old Trafford, securing third place in the Premier League and winning the League Cup.
Though United beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup last season and record silverware, Ten Hag oversaw a dismal campaign in the Premier League with an eighth place finish and exiting the Champions League at the group stage.
This season, United's inconsistent form has continued and the Old Trafford side currently sits 14th in the top flight table.
In midweek, United recorded their second successive draw in the Europa League with a 3-3 on the road against FC Porto.
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Indeed, United raced into a two goal lead thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, only for the hosts to come from behind and lead 3-2.
Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card for a high boot and Harry Maguire came off the bench to rescue a point at the death for the 10 men.
United travel to Villa Park this afternoon to take on Aston Villa before the next international break.
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Should United lose later on today, questions will no doubt continue surrounding Ten Hag's future and how much longer he might remain at Old Trafford.
McClaren spent the past two seasons at United in his second stint at the club, having been part of Ten Hag's backroom staff, before becoming the Jamaica head coach this summer.
And McClaren revealed the dismal 4-0 loss on the road to Crystal Palace last season was the moment when he felt Ten Hag might lose his job at United as he reflected on the job the Dutchman has done at Old Trafford, starting in his first season which began with successive Premier League losses to Brighton and Brentford.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McClaren said, "Every day at Manchester United you're under pressure. I lived with him for two years. On many, many occasions. After Brighton and Brentford [fans were] calling for his head after two games, and then [we] beat Liverpool 3-0.
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"I remember last season, Crystal Palace 4-0, it could have been 8-0 and thinking that this is the end but [then] winning the next four games culminating in a cup final again and winning the cup."
He added: "Erik is that kind of person who has the qualities to stick to the process. I was there at the beginning of the season when all this was going on – the recruitment, the thing with INEOS bringing in different coaches and I remember leaving there and the atmosphere was great.
"The atmosphere was great and the players they were recruiting were very good and the squad was building and developing."
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Steve McClaren, Football
John McDougall