Ten Hag's team are falling apart around him as his grip on Man Utd job is fading

More than half a century has passed but Manchester United supporters of a certain vintage will remember an infamous five-goal thrashing at the hands of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park that proved to be Frank O’Farrell’s last match as manager.

They were finding it impossible to move on from the Sir Matt Busby era and little seemed about to change under O’Farrell so they sacked him and installed Tommy Docherty. Last night, back in Selhurst, Erik ten Hag watched his depleted team torn apart in similar fashion as a similar mood of inevitably settled over his tenure.

Ten Hag stood on the touchline, no club branding on his clothing, rumours of interest from Bayern Munich in the air as Oliver Glasner’s re-energised Palace romped to a 4-0 victory and the home crowd taunted him about getting sacked in the morning.

Michael Olise led the destruction with two goals. Jean-Phillippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were also on target. Casemiro had two goals ruled out but this could quite easily have been more embarrassing for United.

They have won just two of their last 10 in the Premier League, and finish with home fixtures against Arsenal and Newcastle, and an FA Cup final at Wembley.

Ten Hag’s team falling apart around him and his grip on the job is fading.

Ten Hag was without his captain Bruno Fernandes, who has an ankle problem. It was, according to various statistical wizards, the first time Fernandes had missed a senior game through injury in his entire career. Although he has missed a couple through illness, including one for United.

Harry Maguire, who might have led the team out in his absence is also injured. The full extent of the casualty list was perhaps best illustrated by the two goalkeepers and four teenagers named among nine