Manchester United find themselves at the same crossroads that have defined their struggles under Erik Ten Hag, with Sunday's trip to Villa Park lurking as a potential pivot point for a side careening towards crisis.

The Red Devils have endured a rollercoaster 2023-2024 campaign, oscillating wildly between glimpses of greatness and stretches of uninspired tedium. Amidst this turmoil, Ten Hag's future hangs precariously in the balance, his team trapped in a vicious cycle of underperformance and stagnation.

Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, Manchester United's inability to string together meaningful victories has left them lagging behind their top-four rivals. This has heightened the sense of urgency surrounding Ten Hag's position, with many questioning whether the Dutch tactician possesses the requisite nous to navigate this transitional phase.

Chief among the concerns plaguing United is an attacking corps that has failed to gel, with key contributors frequently misfiring or struggling to assert themselves within Ten Hag's oft-tinkered system. The once-dominant midfield axis of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro now looks ponderous, its ineffectiveness exacerbated by a worrying lack of depth and credible alternatives.

Furthermore, Old Trafford's atmosphere has grown increasingly fractious, sections of the fanbase expressing vocal discontent with the team's anaemic performances and perceived lack of progress. Such disillusionment poses an existential threat to Ten Hag's tenure, for if United are unable to re-ignite the spark that once drove them forward, his own survival prospects seem destined to suffer.