After Man Utd’s defeat to West Ham, Erik ten Hag made three concerning decisions that fueled sack rumors.

A major revolution is imminent, therefore any Manchester United manager who has overseen 13 losses before Christmas Day knows they are operating on very thin ice. Although there are several circumstances that make it appear unfair, such is the scenario Erik ten Hag finds himself in.

This season, United has struggled with terrible injury troubles, with 32 instances of unavailability; the takeover fiasco won’t have helped matters either.

But Ten Hag isn’t immune from scrutiny, and some of the decisions he has made in recent months have contributed to the disastrous state of his project.

Express Sport looks at three decisions, in particular, that caught the eye for the wrong reasons in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at West Ham United.

Persisting with Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay has played 90 minutes in United’s last nine Premier League games and already made more starts than across the whole of last term. Injuries or not, that’s a clear regression.

The 27-year-old has produced some big goals this season, but those contributions are outweighed by his ineffective midfield displays that too often leave a gaping void at the heart of Ten Hag’s team.

The Dutchman has started allowing McTominay to operate in a more advanced role, leaving 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo as an isolated single pivot.

It’s also thwarting Bruno Fernandes – one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking midfielders who must drop deep to receive the ball. McTominay can’t be more than an impact substitute once Casemiro returns.