Manchester United are in crisis - again. Erik ten Hag's side just about managed to avoid humiliation against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, but their weaknesses across the pitch were laid bare once again during the 4-3 defeat at Allianz Arena.
The Red Devils have now lost four of their opening six matches in 2023-24, which marks their worst start to a campaign across all competitions in 36 years. They've also conceded three or more goals in three consecutive games for the first time since 1978, and 14 overall - more than any other Premier League side.
Ten Hag's first season at Old Trafford was deemed a success after United followed up winning the Carabao Cup by finishing third in the league, but they have gone backwards since then, despite spending over £200 million ($246m) in the summer transfer window.
It is a continuation of the vicious cycle that no manager has been able to break in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with temporary waves of optimism quickly giving way to despair and frustration. Ten Hag certainly deserves the same level of criticism that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and David Moyes received after recent results, but he has also been fighting a losing battle in the dressing room.