Erik ten Hag is currently overseeing Manchester United's worst start to a campaign in 60 years - a damning statistic that was confirmed after the team's dismal Carabao Cup last-16 defeat against Newcastle. There was to be no repeat of United's final victory over the Magpies last term, as Eddie Howe's makeshift side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils spectacularly failed to bounce back from a humiliating derby loss to Manchester City, which left them eight points outside the Premier League's top-four after just 10 games. Ten Hag's side have also been beaten twice in the Champions League, and face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages.
"It is below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United," Ten Hag admitted to reporters after the Newcastle game. "It is not good enough by far and we have to put it right. I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing."
Those were the words of a man who knows he is already on borrowed time. The players have stopped giving their all for Ten Hag and the poor results will continue until the United board hand the Dutchman his P45.
The uncertainly surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe's proposed minority takeover at Old Trafford and the Glazer family's continued failure to address the falling standards on and off the pitch certainly haven't helped Ten Hag. But he has blown a sizeable transfer war chest on a bunch of misfits, and hasn't been able to get a clear philosophy across to a squad in desperate need of some structure.
Ten Hag's ruthless approach with players that have, in his eyes, stepped out of line - such as Jadon Sancho - has also backfired. Dressing room leaks have become more and more frequent, and the critics have drawn their knives.
The question is: who could United turn to next to lift this group of disheartened, confidence-stricken flops? GOAL is on hand to run through the potential candidates to succeed Ten Hag, starting with a certain Italian genius making waves on the South Coast...