Erik ten Hag ’s former assistant Benni McCarthy has claimed that the Manchester United manager lacks “fire” and “passion” as pressure again builds on the Dutchman at Old Trafford. A damaging defeat to Tottenham has led to renewed speculation over Ten Hag’s future after he narrowly avoided losing his job this summer.

The buck stops with the manager but the latest mess at Man United was easily avoidable if their power brokers had held their nerve.

Out-of-form Manchester United have made their joint-worst start in the Premier League era, collecting just seven points from six games and scoring a mere five goals.