Robbie Savage fears that Erik ten Hag could be sacked by Christmas with Manchester United ‘already out of the title race after only five games’.

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Many were expecting United to only get better under Ten Hag following the manager’s successful first season and another summer of high spending.

However, the Red Devils have lost three of their opening five matches of the season, most recently 3-1 at home to Brighton, and have looked unconvincing in their two victories.

New signings like Andre Onana and Mason Mount haven’t hit the ground running as expected, while the club have been blighted by off-pitch issues involving the likes of Antony and Jadon Sancho.

The results have left United 13th in the table, nine points off leaders Manchester City, and many are predicting the team to get battered when they travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the Champions League.

While fans and pundits are discontented, many still have faith that Ten Hag is the right man to turn the club around, but Savage fears that if results don’t improve, the Dutchman won’t have the chance.

‘It’s been of their worst ever starts to a Premier League campaign. The way the team are playing is really really poor and some of the substitutions like [Rasmus] Højlund being taken off at the weekend are very strange too,’ the former United youth player exclusively told Planet Sport Bet.

‘I wasn’t surprised at all that Brighton went to Old Trafford and won. Erik ten Hag has got to get them playing in a way that allows the players to play to their full abilities and because they’re not doing that, he’s under huge pressure.

‘Anyone who takes that seat is under huge pressure immediately if the team aren’t winning football matches. Any Manchester United manager has to win football matches and win them in a certain style.

‘Ten Hag is falling way short of that, so the next few games in the Premier League this season are simply must wins.

‘I don’t see them getting anything against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and realistically after only five games, they are already out of the title race. I thought United would push City given the recruitment, but they are miles off it.

‘Ten Hag should be given till at least Christmas because the new players need time to buy into his philosophy and way of playing, but if things don’t get better come that time, I think it might be time for a change.’

Following the Bayern clash, Ten Hag will be aiming to get things back on track in the league with games against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Brentford.

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