Do we get the wins? I feel like that is a more apt question.
At this moment in time, it is unfortunate that we have to think that way about our club: where do the wins come from?
But after a terrible start to the campaign with just the one win from three and a humiliation by those fools from Merseyside last Sunday, it isn't looking great for Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Following a good transfer window where several players he wanted were brought in, the MUFC boss needs to start displaying some improvement on the field. This is a feeling shared by INEOS as according to Jamie Jackson of The Guardian, the new co-owners find that "Erik ten Hag’s game model has to start impressing #mufc's Ineos-led football department or he is in danger of being removed, with the manager’s style of play so far this season viewed as underwhelming."
What Jackson also added was that while the club feel that the manager has been undermined with injuries and that time is needed to properly embed his five new signings into his team, there is "also serious concern regarding how he sets up the side", via The United Stand.
Well, that is exactly what we all think so we shouldn't be aghast at how disappointed INEOS feel about the start to this season. We all know that we've been much too shite and I'm sure that Erik ten Hag is aware of that as well, hopefully 😬.
So what does the immediate future hold for MUFC on the pitch and how soon can Erik ten Hag turn his fortunes around because by the sound of it, he doesn't have much time left.
September
This month sees us play five games across three different competitions. Three league fixtures are sandwiched by games in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
MUFC are so far down the league I don't even know what position we're in.
After some googling, I saw that we are 14th, which is at least, not last. That is a positive 👍.
3 points from 9, 2 goals scored and 5 conceded means we are already playing catch-up to the top teams. We're in game 4.
The three PL matches see ten Hag take his team to Southampton upon return from the international break, followed by a trip to Crystal Palace (21 September) before the month ends with a visit by mate Ange Postecoglou and Spurs (29 September).
Don't know whether ten Hag will even be here by that time.
Yeah, that is a genuine concern.
After the game at Southampton on Saturday afternoon, United host Barnsley (17 September) in the third round of the Carabao Cup, a trophy won by ten Hag in his first season at Old Trafford.
A return to the Europa League sees MUFC take on a side ten Hag will be familiar with as United welcome Twente to the Theatre of Dreams on matchday one 25 September). Twente is the club that our manager began his playing career with so he will obviously have some fond memories of our Dutch opponents.
Yes, most of these games appear winnable but with the way United are carrying on...
This month is pivotal in Erik ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford. There is a mixture of easy, challenging and tough games to look forward to all in a short space of time.
With 3 points from 9 in his opening three games in the Premier League, Southampton is a must win. That would be easier said than done as players will be returning from international duty with a couple of our South Americans having to come from a long way.
Players such as Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and new signing Manuel Ugarte will all need to come from a far distance. Martinez and Garnacho will face Colombia in Colombia on Tuesday night while Ugarte and Uruguay will be in Venezuela on Wednesday night.
All three are important players for the Dutchman. Will they be ready in time?
United will also need players to return as all of Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro have missed most if not all of the season so far through injury.
Mount has been one of the better players this season being deployed as a false 9. He has been paramount, see what I did there?
Anyway, Mount has been important to this new high press from United as without him, it has been pretty much useless.
It is unlikely that he will return for Southampton though, much like Leny Yoro although Hojlund, Lindelof and Shaw should be back.
Another issue for ten Hag and United is that his side will be playing the early kick-off on Saturday (12:30 BST). With him requiring time for these returns (both injured and returning international players), it makes life more difficult to know that his players will have to be sharp for the kick-starter for the weekend, the third time MUFC have been given this task this season.
The games against Barnsley and Twente could provide some respite from the league but it could makes things worse should United continue their current form.
At least those two games are at home which will give us an advantage and we should be having a stronger squad by then as well.
Five games in two weeks is a tough ask but it's something that United will have to get used to as this is how it's going to be for the remainder of the season, provided they stay in each competition until it's latter stages.
One thing that we know with Erik ten Hag is that he will take the cups very seriously. His sides often go to the end of the cup competitions and win something which is always a positive.
Perhaps having a lot of games in quick succession can be a good thing as well. Playing constantly means you have to move forward quickly without too much thought about what just happened.
It will also allow the manager more opportunities to implement his ideal style of play more regularly due to the amount of games in a short space of time.
As I said, there are some very winnable games. In those matches, we need to see a better brand of football and something that we can all get behind.
I believe that this month is the make or break for ten Hag. Should he play good football, get some wins and move up the table, progress in the Carabao Cup and win the first Europa League game, then he will probably still be here next month.
If we see more of what we're seeing, I doubt he will be here in October.
I think he WILL be here next month. I can see us winning at Southampton, beating Barnsley, taking some momentum to Palace to get a positive result, beat Twente and also get something out of the game against Spurs.
I think that Erik ten Hag will find a way to come out of this difficult period. That is one thing I must give him credit for as when his back is against the wall, he manages to hang in there. There are a few gimme's in the next two weeks so it gives him a chance to turn things around.
That gives me the hope that he can pull through. With more players returning and the need to have to win, we should be seeing some improvement. That should be easy as the bar has been pretty low.
Alright the bar is on the ground so we should be better.
Probably.
You think the manager will survive September or not?
Background Image: Erik ten Hag | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal