Manchester United players reportedly fear they won’t win another game for the rest of the season – with morale said to be low following their 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils suffered the latest dip in their rocky season after being hammered by the Eagles at Selhurst Park on Monday night in a horror result that further heaps pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
United are currently eighth in the Premier League table and have missed out on a place in the top four – trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by 13 points – despite pre-season optimism they could challenge for the title after signing the likes of Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount.
But their campaign has been filled with a number of damaging defeats after losing eight times at home and being dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage.
They have still managed to reach the FA Cup final but only got there after scraping past Championship side Coventry on penalties after surrendering a 3-0 lead.
And after their recent humbling by Palace, United players are said to be ‘broken’ and miserable’, according to the Mirror.
The report adds that morale is at such a low point that some members of the squad are not confident they will win again this season.
The report adds that many players are ‘convinced’ that Ten Hag will be sacked at the end of the season following such a troubled run of form.
United have 16 wins in the league, with six draws and 13 defeats – their most ever in a Premier League season – while they are at risk of achieving their worst points total for a campaign, with the record standing at 58. The team are currently on 54.
Reported concerns over upcoming fixtures comes with three matches remaining in the league – a home clash against title chasers Arsenal on Sunday, with the Gunners desperate to win their first crown since 2004 – before welcome in-form Newcastle next Wednesday.
They then travel to Brighton on the final day before facing bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 25.
There is mounting speculation Ten Hag will not survive beyond the summer, with Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel linked with replacing him.
The German appeared to issue a ‘come and get me plea’ to United after being quizzed about a return to the Premier League – after it was announced that he would leave Bayern at the end of the season.
‘This is a tricky road where you lead me. I’d rather not answer,’ Tuchel told TNT Sports before the game when asked about a possible return to the Premier League.
‘But it is no secret that I loved it at Chelsea, I loved it in England, and I loved it in the Premier League for sure. It was a very, very special time in England, and I remember it very well.’
United on Wednesday night denied making any formal contact with Tuchel despite reports in Germany of informal discussions taking place.
The club’s focus is on seeing out their remaining three Premier League games and the FA Cup final before making a decision on Ten Hag’s position at the end of the season.
