After surviving an eighth-placed finish last season – United’s worst since 1990 – thanks to the FA Cup final win against Manchester City, the Dutchman is under pressure again after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool.
The result dropped United to 14th in the Premier League, with three points from their opening three games.
If they lose at Southampton after the international break on 14 September, it will represent their worst start since 1986-87, when they picked up one point from their first four games. Within two months, Ron Atkinson was sacked and replaced by Sir Alex Ferguson.
