TEN HAG STILL ON TIGHTROPE

IF Erik ten Hag needs an opinion on how ruthless Sir Jim Ratcliffe is then he should give Fergie a call.

- Simon Mullock

The current Manchester United boss clearly feels that surviving the last international break with his team floundering in 12th place in the Premier League - after a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham - bought him time.

Ratcliffe, Britain's richest man, spent £1.25billion of his fortune in February to secure a 27.7 per cent stake in the club he supported as a boy and earlier this month summoned the club's leadership team to a seven-hour summit meeting in London.

Ten Hag was given licence to carry on but while United are unbeaten in all four of their games since, there has been little evidence to suggest that the Red Devils are on the march.

More Nations League fixtures are looming in three weeks' time. A day of reckoning might be looming.

United are once again sounding out potential replacements for the Dutchman.