Erik ten Hag risks Man Utd sacking on same date and same fixture as Jose Mourinho as Ghost of Christmas Past looms large

ERIK TEN HAG could be sacked on the SAME DAY Jose Mourinho was axed by Manchester United as the prospect of a Christmas dismissal becomes ever more likely.

The Red Devils suffered a third defeat in four Champions League games on Tuesday night as they lost 4-3 away to Copenhagen.

It leaves them bottom of their group and in serious danger of being eliminated before the knockout stage.

Ten Hag's side are also suffering in the Premier League having lost five of their opening 11 matches.

They are down in eighth in the table, six points adrift of the top four and already nine below leaders Manchester City.

Their final game before the international break comes at home to Luton on Saturday.

They then enjoy a two-week break, returning to action with three away fixtures at Everton, Galatasaray and Newcastle.

Home matches against Chelsea, Bournemouth and Bayern Munich follow - by which point Man Utd could be out of the Champions League.

They then travel to bitter rivals Liverpool on December 17 - which was the final fixture of Mourinho's reign back in 2018.

On that occasion, the Portuguese head coach watched his side lose 3-1 at Anfield on December 16, before he was axed two days later.

FREE BETS - BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

And Ten Hag could suffer the exact same fate next month if results do not improve.

Should Liverpool hand Man Utd another defeat on Sunday, December 17, the Dutchman may find himself being dismissed on the Monday morning - the very same date as Mourinho's sacking five years earlier.

And fans have already realised the prospect of Ten Hag being sacked after the Liverpool clash.

One said: "Manchester United won't sack Ten Hag tomorrow [on Wednesday], they will sack him after losing to Liverpool before Christmas. That's how they do it."

While another added: "I hope Ten Hag isn't sacked before Liverpool game."

And a third, possibly a Liverpool fan, teased: "Dear Manchester United board and fans, Ten Hag must be protected at all costs until 17th December."

Ten Hag is Man Utd's fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson left ten years ago.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all failed to secure the club their first Premier League title since 2013.

Van Gaal won the FA Cup, while Mourinho claimed the League Cup and Europa League.

Ten Hag ended a five-year trophy drought back in February when he won the Carabao Cup.

MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all of the latest transfer and takeover news from Old Trafford