Could Tottenham sack Roberto De Zerbi? It is a question that would have seemed ridiculous a few weeks ago.

After five Premier League matches without a win, however, it is at least beginning to enter the conversation.

Spurs currently sit bottom of the Premier League with just two points, despite the club committing more than £380 million to new players during the summer. That level of investment inevitably brings expectations, and De Zerbi needs results to improve soon.

There is still plenty of context in the Italian’s favour. Tottenham have often played some decent football without getting the rewards, while a large number of new signings have had to settle into a completely different system.

The club’s chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has also publicly backed De Zerbi, pointing to encouraging aspects of the underlying performances.

But patience cannot be unlimited.

The trip to Manchester United on Saturday is therefore a huge one. Spurs do not necessarily have to win at Old Trafford to save De Zerbi’s job, but they absolutely need to look like a team moving in the right direction.

Another flat display, another defeat and another game without enough attacking threat would make the pressure considerably harder to ignore.

De Zerbi also needs to find solutions. Tottenham have created chances in matches this season, but two Premier League goals in five games is nowhere near good enough. The defensive lapses against Aston Villa were equally concerning.

So, could Spurs sack him? Yes, if results and performances fail to improve. But I don’t think we are there yet.

The club has backed De Zerbi financially, handed him a major rebuild and given him a five-year contract. That should give him some credit in the bank. It would make little sense to abandon the project after a handful of league games unless things deteriorate dramatically.

But that credit is not unlimited. Manchester United is a chance for De Zerbi and his players to show that the huge summer investment is beginning to translate onto the pitch.