Kieran Shannon: Ten Hag lacks reservoir of credibility, that puts him closer to the brink

It's 35 years since Alex Ferguson was on the verge of being sacked by Manchester United. Erik ten Hag won't get that same leeway. The world has changed. 

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds the fans following his side's Premier League defeat to Spurs at Old Trafford. Picture: PA/Martin Rickett

Looking at the continuing woes of Erik Ten Hag at the weekend underlined all the more just what exceptional cases and personalities Alex Ferguson and Kieran McGeeney each constitute – and how fortunate they were to be afforded as well as demonstrate such patience.

We all know the short-hand narrative surrounding Ferguson’s survival. How so much of it hinged on a brilliant Mark Hughes assist and a Mark Robins goal away to Nottingham Forest in a third-round FA Cup tie. How after that watershed the progress was unrelenting and obvious and measurable through silverware. May 1990: The FA Cup. May 1991: The Cup Winners-Cup. April-May 1992: The League Cup and a proper title challenge (albeit also a proper title challenge collapse). May 1993: Premier League champions.