Nine things that have gone wrong for Erik ten Hag this season amid sack fears

Manchester United's season plummeted to new depths on Tuesday night as they limped out of the Champions League.

A defeat to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford ensured that Erik ten Hag 's side finished rock bottom of their group, with just one win and one draw in their six games. That dreadful campaign in Europe is couple with an increasingly difficult year in the Premier League.

The Red Devils sit sixth in the table, having lost seven of their opening 16 games, with Ten Hag's place as manager now coming under pressure. Here, Mirror Football looks at the nine biggest things that have gone wrong for the Dutchman this season.

Pre-season disaster

The warning signs were ringing loudly during what was a packed pre-season of eight games. Midfielder Christian Eriksen complained about the amount of travelling the squad was forced to do, with games coming in Norway, Scotland, Manchester and four American cities.

"I think it's been good, there's been a lot of games and too much traveling, to be honest. It's been nice to see all the fans and to give back to them," the Danish international told MUTV.

"It's feeling easier going into the games [with better fitness levels], we're feeling more prepared. It feels good to be playing normal. We expected a tough pre-season, but for me, there's probably been too much travelling around."

Transfer mess

United's summer transfer window was nothing short of a disaster. Club chiefs failed to sign top target Harry Kane, who has since enjoyed a record-breaking season at Bayern Munich.

Moves for Sergio Reguilon, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Sofyan Amrabat were also only wrapped up on deadline day. Despite being in desperate need of a centre-back, veteran Evans, who had been relegated with Leicester was the sole arrival in the position.

Amrabat had long been eyed by Ten Hag, but he is also only at United on a loan deal. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been transformed after a dreadful season last year to now top the league, in large part because of a successful summer.

Captaincy mistake

Boss Ten Hag decided to strip Harry Maguire of the captaincy in the summer, replacing him with Bruno Fernandes. But the midfielder has faced fierce criticism for his performance in the role, with legendary skipper Roy Keane demanding he be stripped of the armband.

"Today having watched him again I would take the captaincy off him 100 per cent. I know it's a big decision, obviously they changed the captaincy with Maguire, but Fernandes is not captain material," Keane said after the dismal derby defeat to Manchester City.

"He is a talented player no doubt about it. But what I saw today, his whinging, his moaning and throwing his arms up in the air constantly. It really isn't acceptable. Fernandes is a brilliant footballer but he is the opposite to what I would want in a captain."

New players disappoint

The mess of the transfer window was not only about the players they missed out on. United's headline arrivals have also failed to fire since moving to Old Trafford, despite blowing more than £170million on Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount.

Onana has made a series of mistakes, including in the draw with Galatasaray in the Champions League to throw away a win. Hojlund meanwhile has struggled to live up to his massive price tag.

The Dane is now United's first-choice striker, but is still yet to score in the Premier League. Mount has been battered by injury issues and has struggled to perform when fit, as Ten Hag wrestles with finding the right position for the England international.

Sancho falling-out

One of the recurring themes of Ten Hag's reign has been his fallings out with star players. Cristiano Ronaldo felt the Dutchman's wrath last season and now Jadon Sancho has been exiled from the first-team.

Ten Hag dropped the winger from the squad that lost at Arsenal, criticising his performances in training. In response, Sancho accused the United boss of not telling the truth, with the Dutchman exiling him.

Sancho is now banned from all first-team areas at the club's Carrington training ground, with Ten Hag demanding an apology. That looks unlikely to be forthcoming though, with the attacker set to be moved on in January.

Varane snub

One of the more peculiar aspects of the season has been Ten Hag's snub of Raphael Varane. The World Cup winner has started just eight games in all competitions, with even Luke Shaw being preferred at centre-back.

Ten Hag has been forced to deny allegations of a rift developing between himself and the defender. Varane still has 18 months to run on his contract, but the Frenchman appears to be out of favour.

The United boss said: "Rapha Varane? I don't know what you're talking about. It's rumours. Very important player, but there's internal competition and there should be at a top club, as we are."

Rashford struggles

The biggest sign of Ten Hag's failing reign has been the awful form of Marcus Rashford. The attacker hs scored just two goals in all competitions, with Rashford being dropped to the bench for the last two Premier League games, though Ten Hag is backing him to turn things around.

"I think he's not happy, we are not happy. We have expectations, he has high expectations of himself. At this moment, he is not in his best form. But I know he will be back," Ten Hag said in November.

"I know when the team is playing better, he will play better, he will score goals. I am confident of that. This season he will improve and score goals, he's totally in the team and aware on everything. He will be back on track."

Takeover mess

As well as a dreadful season on the pitch, United have also been defined by a clownshow in the boardroom. The deal that will see Sir Jim Ratcliffe buy a 25 percent stake in the club and take charge of all football matters is still yet to be completed.

There have been numerous false dawns, but the much-hated Glazer family remain in full control at Old Trafford. Ratcliffe is still expected to confirm his arrival, but the takeover process has now dragged on for more than a year.

On top of that, chief executive Richard Arnold unexpectedly left his post last month, with the club's general counsel taking on the role. While Ratcliffe is expected to bring in his own man, United are currently heading into the January window with only an interim CEO.

Injury crisis

While his team has disappointed, Ten Hag has been forced to battle against significant headwinds, not least an increasing injury crisis. United have 13 players ruled out of Sunday's clash with leaders Liverpool, with Ten Hag bemoaning the crisis.

"We're losing players who are very decisive for our game who can make the difference. I think it was, in many games, also the case in this campaign that we’ve not always had the players available we want to play," he said.

"And that's definitely a part but now I give you a reason but don’t see it as an excuse. Because even when we are not all on board, we still have to win because that is the targets that belong to Manchester United."