'This is the end' - Erik ten Hag's former assistant Steve McClaren reveals moment he thought Man Utd boss would be sacked

After spending the last two seasons at Manchester United working as an assistant to Ten Hag, 63-year-old McClaren left the job this summer to join the Jamaica national team as their new head coach. The former England boss, who dealt with Ten Hag at close quarters, has now spoken about one match from the 2023/24 season after which he thought that it was the end of the road for the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Sky Sports, McClaren said, "Every day at Manchester United you're under pressure. I lived with him for two years. On many, many occasions. After Brighton and Brentford [fans were] calling for his head after two games, and then [we] beat Liverpool 3-0. I remember last season, Crystal Palace 4-0, it could have been 8-0 and thinking that this is the end but [then] winning the next four games culminating in a cup final again and winning the cup.

"Erik is that kind of person who has the qualities to stick to the process. I was there at the beginning of the season when all this was going on – the recruitment, the thing with INEOS bringing in different coaches and I remember leaving there and the atmosphere was great. The atmosphere was great and the players they were recruiting were very good and the squad was building and developing."

Ten Hag managed to keep his job over the summer, in part thanks to leading United to success in the FA Cup, beating rivals Manchester City in the final. However, he is facing fresh scrutiny after a disappointing start to the new season.

United, who are winless in their last four outings across all competitions, will aim to get back to winning ways on Sunday as they travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League.