Numerous club sources say the ownership situation at Manchester United needs to be resolved sooner rather than later so that Erik ten Hag’s position can be clarified.

After successive 3-0 home losses to Manchester City and Newcastle, United’s manager is under pressure.

In an attempt to play down speculation about his future, club officials have attempted to play down Ten Hag’s admission that United are “in a bad place”.

There are a number of games that United must win.

The match at Fulham – which United haven’t lost to since 2009 – is followed by a trip to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.

For United to feel confident about advancing to the knockout stage, they probably need a total of four points from that match and the match with Galatasaray on 29 November in Istanbul.

The visit to Denmark will be followed by a match at home against Luton Town. There has only ever been one time in Hatters history when they avoided defeat on the road against United.

Those results would put United under intense pressure to make a managerial change, but that process may not be easy.

As part of their “exploration of strategic alternatives”, the Glazer family has been considering selling the club for almost a year.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group hopes to acquire a 25% stake in United, but the deal hasn’t been completed yet.

Any potential decision to replace Ten Hag would be heavily influenced by Ratcliffe, who wants to take control of the football operations side of United.