Erik ten Hag didn't help defuse despair among Manchester United supporters after Monday's latest embarrassment against Crystal Palace. The Dutchman's actions immediately following the 4-0 thrashing were those of a man under unbearable pressure as United stare in the face of a record-breaking season for all the wrong reasons.
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A squad featuring just 12 senior outfield players travelled to Selhurst Park and produced one of the worst displays of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Ten Hag's options have been decimated by injuries all season, but that will be disregarded in the history books if United finish eighth in the Premier League - the lowest in the club's history.
Red Devils summer target Michael Olise stole the show with two goals on either side of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell's strikes on a momentous night for Palace.
It was a performance and result that turned many of the visitors' fans on Ten Hag. However, you wouldn't believe that listening to an incredible, defiant away following in South London.
You'd have thought United won the match by listening to the fans drowning out the rest of Selhurst Park as they gave their underperforming players an ovation they didn't deserve at full-time.
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But while the deflated and defeated stars showed their appreciation once Jarred Gillett ended their suffering, Ten Hag didn't.
The 54-year-old shook Palace boss Oliver Glasner's hand with a straight face and walked onto the pitch to embrace the officials before heading back towards the tunnel and congratulating a couple of Palace's staff.
United's away end was still almost full despite another scheduling nightmare for those needing to return to Manchester for work on Tuesday morning.
And Ten Hag's decision not to show his appreciation wasn't taken lightly by many, who would now prefer Sir Jim Ratcliffe to make a fresh start this summer.
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The United boss did praise the travelling support during his media duties, though. He said: "It is clear and it is obvious, this is underperforming.
"We didn't act how we want to do it and it's by far not good enough. We are very disappointed, but the fans were always behind us and we keep fighting, like the fans did.
"I was really grateful [to the fans]. They back us. They see also we have our problems.
"You have to stick together. You have to take responsibility. The fans gave us such huge and tremendous support."
