Manchester United's problems this season have not only occurred on the pitch, but there has also been plenty of disruption in the build-up to Thursday's Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen.
Ruben Amorim suffered his second defeat in a row on Saturday, with individual errors playing a role against Nottingham Forest. The next morning came news that sporting director Dan Ashworth would be leaving the club after just five months – and just a few weeks before the January transfer window opens.
While the main priority will be the midweek trip to the Czech Republic, some around the club will be keeping half an eye on January. It remains to be seen whether Amorim will be supported in the market as he tries to get his side into shape to climb the rankings, but players have been linked.
We also have some more fallout from Ashworth's exit, with many observers having their say. Here are the latest lines from Mirror Football from Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba is a free agent after leaving Juventus and has been linked with a third spell at Manchester United. The French midfielder, who has been cleared to play again after a drug ban was halted on appeal, made his professional debut with the English club and has made more than 200 first-team appearances after setting another club record in 2016.
Pogba's compatriot Louis Saha was asked about another move to Old Trafford for the midfielder, and the former United striker sees it happening. “I have heard rumors that Paul Pogba will get the chance to come back and train with Man Utd in the new year and I think that would be a great opportunity for Paul,” Saha told Casino Utan Spelpaus.
“He needs to get back to his best level as quickly as possible and training with top players will help him do that. I think he would be very happy if he was given the opportunity to return to the club.”
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville was not pleased with the way the club announced Dan Ashworth's departure. United confirmed the sporting director's departure with a short 41-word statement not long after reports of the news first emerged.
“The statement the club has made is really poor,” Neville told Sky Sports. “Man Utd haven't had a voice for 10 years. They've lost their authority and their nerve. They've regained some of that in the last 12 months, but it's very clear there's a rift here.
“You can't bring in someone like Dan Ashworth, lose him after five months and think nothing has gone wrong. Fans will ask what went wrong. They will speculate, there will be huge gaps.”
“Sometimes it's better to hit us in the face with the truth when it's so obvious that something has gone wrong, between the personalities of Dan Ashworth and Omar Barrada, Dave Brailsford, whoever it is that doesn't get along. Just tell us because it's obvious something happened.
Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has joined Wayne Rooney's staff at Plymouth Argyle. Phelan had two spells as United's number two, including one when Rooney was on the playing staff.
“Mike is someone I know well because I worked with him when I was a player at Manchester United and he has vast experience at the highest level of football,” said Rooney. “I am very pleased to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing him again.” he gets to work straight away.”
Plymouth is in 22nd place in the Championship after 18 games, just inside the relegation zone on goal difference. In their next match, on Tuesday evening, they host mid-table Swansea City.
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