Manchester United coaching staff ‘left stunned after several players asked for Sunday off’ after Saturday’s dismal loss to Fulham ramped up the pressure on Erik ten Hag

Several Manchester United players reportedly left the coaching staff stunned after requesting a day off following Saturday’s dismal home defeat to Fulham.

Erik ten Hag’s side fell to their tenth Premier League defeat of the season after Alex Iwobi’s goal in the 97th minute at Old Trafford.

The result was a brutal reminder of United’s shortcomings after they won five consecutive games in the league and the FA Cup.

According to The guarda number of players complained to the coaching staff that they wanted Sunday off after the loss to Fulham.

The players routinely report the day after each game for warm-downs and video analysis. The request was rejected and the players were reminded of their agreements with Ten Hag which they thought they were not aware of.

The result put the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag and it emerged that some players had reportedly asked for Sunday off after the defeat

Ten Hag’s future as United boss looks increasingly uncertain amid reports that new owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are evaluating potential replacements.

In a season of frustration and inconsistency, United crashed out of the Champions League – and the whole of Europe – after a dreadful group stage.

They suffered a crushing 3-0 home defeat to Newcastle United as their Carabao Cup defense ended early and they currently sit eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the table.

While qualification for next season’s Champions League remains possible – with fifth place likely to suffice given the expansion to 36 teams – this is by no means guaranteed given United’s form.

Ten Hag could potentially redeem themselves by winning the FA Cup, with United heading to Nottingham Forest in the fifth round on Wednesday.

Ratcliffe, who paid £1.3 billion for a 27.7 percent stake in United and control of its football operations, has wasted no time in making changes behind the scenes.

Omar Berrada was poached from rivals Manchester City to become the club’s new CEO and a move has been made to sign Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth as sporting director.

The unrest also puts Ten Hag’s position under scrutiny and the Manchester Evening News reports that Ineos is ‘not completely sold’ on Ten Hag.

The defeat to Fulham was United’s tenth loss in the Premier League alone this season

In comments last week, Ten Hag was confident he retained Ratcliffe’s support after the billionaire refused to discuss his future during interviews following the completion of his £1.3 billion investment.

Ratcliffe had instead suggested that a succession of failed management appointments since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 was an indication that the ‘environment’ is to blame.

‘We have had so many conversations, we are very aligned, we have the same ambition, we are very aligned in the process.’ Ten Hag said this on Friday in anticipation of the loss to Fulham. ‘We talk a lot.

‘We are very much on the same page. It completely fits the ambitions I have, and the ambitions I had when I came here. It’s now 19 months later and I see that we are going in the right direction.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already started making major changes to key positions at the club following his investment

‘We had setbacks in the second season, but you can see the team coming. It is important to have players fit, but also to build the squad. We will be strong and even stronger if we add more qualities to this team.’

The 54-year-old admitted that qualifying for the Champions League this season will be crucial to ensure he retains the support he believes he enjoys.

United’s eighth home defeat of the season – one short of their single-season record – did little to help matters.