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Sir Jim Ratcliffe requested Manchester United’s govt workforce put ahead “forensic circumstances for all potential situations” over Erik ten Hag’s future at Previous Trafford throughout this week’s board assembly, the Impartial reveals.
The Dutch supervisor is underneath intense strain following his aspect’s poor begin to the season – a continuation of final yr’s dismal marketing campaign.
United languish 14th within the Premier League with eight factors from their opening seven video games. Solely newly-promoted Southampton have scored fewer objectives than the Pink Devils who’re already ten factors adrift of the highest of the desk, simply two months into the calendar.
It constitutes the membership’s worst begin to a Premier League season in historical past; and there aren’t any extra excuses for Ten Hag to fall again on, as he usually did final yr with United’s unrelenting harm disaster.
Ratcliffe was in attendance for final weekend’s journey to Villa Park the place United battled to a a colorless 0-0 draw towards high 4 rivals Aston Villa. Whereas the Pink Devils defended diligently, they supplied completely nothing in assault, outdoors of a Bruno Fernandes free-kick from distance.
And it was the identical consequence – however an entire reverse of the kind of efficiency – 4 days prior towards Porto within the Europa League, which noticed United equalise late on to rescue some extent towards the Portuguese large. A chaotic match completed 3-3 after Ten Hag noticed his aspect go 2-0 up after twenty minutes, solely to concede three unanswered objectives to wipe out this early benefit.
Ten Hag’s incapability to have the ability to extract a efficiency from his gamers which sees them successfully defend and assault in equal measure is a damning reflection of the progress, or lack thereof, within the Dutchman’s third season in cost at Previous Trafford. He seems in a position to solely get his aspect to do one or the opposite, whereas United’s conventional ‘rivals’ are in a position to do each effortlessly.
Tuesday’s assembly in London was attended by Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer, in addition to the membership’s just lately shaped govt workforce, comprising Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox. Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, two pivotal figures inside INEOS Sport and United, have been additionally current.
The assembly was a scheduled one for the worldwide break, deliberate previous to the strain ramping up on Ten Hag in current weeks. Nevertheless, the 54-year-old’s place was excessive on the agenda, with Ratcliffe requesting his govt workforce think about each potential state of affairs for the membership transferring ahead, together with Ten Hag’s dismissal.
Miguel Delaney (The Impartial) describes there being “appreciable variations in positions” throughout these discussions. The reporter suggests the “most debated” dialog centred round “what comes subsequent” ought to Ten Hag be eliminated as supervisor, with Thomas Tuchel thought-about the “most certainly successor” ought to this occur.
This corroborates a report relayed by The Peoples Individual which revealed the German supervisor was being “lined up” as a alternative for Ten Hag, although Delaney contends sources near Tuchel “insist there has of but been no contact.”
United are believed to have approached the previous Chelsea supervisor in the summertime whereas INEOS have been conducting an ‘end-of-season’ overview. It’s even recommended Tuchel was Ratcliffe’s favoured selection however negotiations stalled, and the membership finally selected to again Ten Hag.
Throughout Tuesday’s assembly, Delaney reveals, an argument was offered which was “strongly in favour of a change now” in supervisor. Nevertheless, this was “countered by the acquainted caveats about how early within the new period it’s, in addition to the potential disruption from a change.”
Moreover, there are “issues” amongst executives over the “suitability of potential candidates”, suggesting not all within the board room share Ratcliffe’s appreciation for Tuchel. There may be additionally the “major query” over whether or not a “alternative could be only for this season or for one thing long term.”
And this attracts a putting similarity to the aforementioned overview which noticed Ten Hag obtain a one-year extension in the summertime, regardless of INEOS’ apparent reservations. It could merely be a scarcity of viable alternate options which sees the Dutchman survive as soon as once more.
Featured picture Michael Regan by way of Getty Photos
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