SAHA: TEN HAG FACES SACK IF UNITED LOSE

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Erik ten Hag could face the sack if his side fails to beat Southampton on Saturday. Despite winning the FA Cup last season, Ten Hag is under increasing pressure after United's poor start to the new campaign.

United scraped past Fulham with a narrow 1-0 win in their opener, but have since suffered defeats to Brighton and a humiliating loss at home to Liverpool before the international break. With Southampton, who have lost all three of their Premier League games, up next, Saha thinks a defeat could spell the end for Ten Hag.

When asked if Ten Hag could be sacked with a loss at Southampton, Saha told Betfred, "I think so. Against Liverpool, the issue was the performance rather than just the result, so Erik’s under pressure because the team isn’t playing well."

Saha emphasized that the manner of United's defeat to Liverpool, where they were tactically outplayed, has raised serious concerns. "If Southampton are able to dominate against Manchester United in the same way that Liverpool dominated last week, then the situation would be untenable for Erik ten Hag,” he added.

The former United forward pointed out that Ten Hag’s team currently lacks a clear game plan, which is crucial for the players' confidence and performance. "At this moment, it’s not about personalities, it’s about seeing a plan that the players can identify with and cause damage with. Currently, we can’t identify a clear game plan and that’s why Erik’s being criticised. Things need to improve," Saha said.

With growing frustration among fans and pundits over the team’s tactics and performances, Saturday's match against Southampton could prove pivotal for Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford.