Ralf Rangnick fears he faces treading water at Manchester United for the remainder of the season.
The Daily Mail says Rangnick is said to feel that he simply doesn't have enough time to make the changes he knows are needed before the end of the season, when he will hand over the reins and take up a two-year consultancy role with the club.
The 63-year-old German's position has also been weakened because the short-term nature of his job means players are less likely to buy into his ideas than if he were the permanent manager.
Most of United's problems existed before Rangnick succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, doubts are already being expressed over his training techniques and the calibre of coaching staff he has brought in after Chris Armas and Ewan Sharp joined United until the end of the season.
Armas had been sacked twice in the 15 months before his arrival, — by MLS clubs New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC — and Sharp followed Rangnick to Old Trafford from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Rangnick is believed to have identified a selfish element among the United dressing room who are reluctant to pull together for the team — a problem first detected by Jose Mourinho.
While the club would be happy to offload certain players, their high salaries are a stumbling block for any transfer or loan deals.
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