Four reasons why Man Utd must make Erik ten Hag sack decision after Crystal Palace defeat

Two of his key signings - Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat - arrived injured, while Mason Mount also missed a month of action after the opening two games.

Tom Heaton, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Sergio Reguilon, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Amad have also been struck with injury or illness issues this term.

He hasn't had his strongest team available once. And until he does, sure, you can criticise him. But can you judge his vision fairly? I don't think so.

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Off-field antics

United appointed Ten Hag to primarily be a coach. That is what he has specialised in for the duration of his career.

But he has faced a whirlwind of off-field matters that no manager will ever have to deal with across his first year as boss.

From Cristiano Ronaldo to Mason Greenwood to Harry Maguire and David de Gea, to Jadon Sancho to Antony to the Glazers and potential Qatari investment. The list goes on.

Ten Hag has had to field questions on high-profile matters that even out-of-place at a club of United's magnitude. There may come a point when you ponder whether anyone could be successful in this environment.But the Red Devils must maintain perspective and stick with Ten Hag through short-term pain to achieve long-term gain.

Express Sports runs through four important aspects of the Dutchman's nightmare second season, stressing why he deserves time to get it right.

Takeover circus

If anyone at United tells you that the ongoing mess surrounding the club's takeover process isn't a distraction, Ten Hag included, they aren't being truthful.

A never-ending circus looms over Old Trafford under the Glazers' reign, and it won't disperse until they are gone. They are the root of the problem, and changing managers will only paper over the cracks.

Next month will mark an entire year since the Glazers announced a strategic review. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have reportedly tabled more than fair offers worth around £5billion.

But the Glazers want more. Of course, they want more. And there is a growing fear that this saga will rumble on until they get what they want.

Injury crisis

You could make an entire matchday squad featuring members of Ten Hag's first team to have endured a spell on the sidelines at some point this season. It's October.

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