Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have avoided the chop so far but Manchester United's manager certainly isn't out of the woods yet.
He always knew a tough set of fixtures lay in store throughout October and November, games that would test how far United have progressed in nearly three years of his leadership.
So far, United have failed the test miserably, losing 4-2 at Leicester City, humiliated 5-0 by Liverpool and outclassed by Manchester City last time out in a game they were fortunate to only lose by two.
Bruno Fernandes (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right) couldn't hide their frustration during Manchester United's 5-0 defeat by Liverpool last month
Under pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held crisis talks with senior players
They have twice required moments of Cristiano Ronaldo magic to take four points from the available six against Atalanta, keeping their Champions League campaign alive.
But there's no hiding the stench of weakness and vulnerability around Old Trafford. Even matches such as Saturday's trip to Watford, which ordinarily they should win comfortably, have become fraught with danger for Solskjaer.
After that, it's Villarreal, Chelsea and Arsenal in quick succession. There has to be positive results in those games otherwise Solskjaer may not even be around to oversee a kinder festive schedule.
It's been a tough watch for United fans in recent weeks with four defeats from six in the league
Solskjaer summoned six senior players - captain Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic - to a meeting at Carrington on Thursday morning to figure out how to salvage the season and save his job.
There are certainly plenty in the side who must now step up and perform if United are to avoid another season drifting by without success.
Bruno Fernandes
There was always going to be a lull with Bruno Fernandes, who had been in outstanding form ever since he arrived at United in January 2020.
Just the four goals so far this season - of which three came on the opening weekend against Leeds - points to a man out of sorts but really the Portuguese is a victim of his own success.
28 goals and 17 assists last season was always going to be a hard act to follow, so what is more worrying is that Fernandes has cut such a frustrated figure so far this season.
Fernandes hasn't been afraid to show his frustration on the pitch as United have stumbled
He is far more likely to complain to team-mates when something doesn't quite come off and there were rumblings of discontent from the Fernandes camp about Solskjaer and his coaching team after the City match.
There are other mitigating factors. United haven't been awarded as many penalties this season as last - Fernandes blasted one over in the 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in September - so his goal return is smaller (he scored 13 spot-kicks last season).
The other is the inescapable conclusion that Fernandes must be feeling the effects of playing so much football, being one of the first names on Solskjaer's teamsheet.
Between June 2020 and the end of the Euros, Fernandes played in 87 matches for club and country - more than anyone else in Europe's top five leagues.
This season, he has started every Premier League and Champions League game for United, came off the bench in the Carabao Cup loss to West Ham plus featured in another seven games for Portugal.
It's clear Fernandes could do with some respite but United need him to keep draining the tank.
He may grow frustrated when the intricate passes he attempts don't quite come off but when they do - notably the assists for Ronaldo against Atalanta and Tottenham - it is quite spectacular.
The Portuguese is certainly still capable of moments of genius - such as his assist for Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2-2 draw away to Atalanta in the Champions League
Harry Maguire
The fact Harry Maguire felt compelled to put his fingers in his ears while celebrating his goal for England against Albania shows a man struggling under the weight of criticism at the moment.
Maguire enjoyed a very good summer at the Euros but hasn't been able to carry that into the new season with several opponents exposing United's defensive vulnerability.
As United's captain, no doubt Maguire made clear his feelings to Solskjaer on whether this sudden switch to three-at-the-back is the right idea. After all, it didn't exactly go well against City.
Harry Maguire wanted to make clear he hasn't been listening to all the criticism of late after scoring for England in their World Cup qualifier against Albania
It's a positive that United can switch between two systems and Maguire is well aware of what is required in such a set-up after his experience with England.
But we haven't seen a lot of evidence it will help turn United's miserable season around and make them more watertight at the back.
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