Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United will only be assured if results drastically improve at the beleagured club… as Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares to take charge at Old Trafford

• The Dutch manager is under heavy scrutiny after dismal Champions League exit 
• Ratcliffe’s takeover will be ratified next year, but decisions could come earlier
• Back off Erik ten Hag! Insipid Man United performances are on the players – not the manager – Listen to why on It’s All Kicking Off

Erik ten Hag has Manchester United’s backing for now, but the Dutchman’s long-term future at Old Trafford will come under threat if results don’t improve dramatically before Sir Jim Ratcliffe is in power.

Ten Hag is under intense scrutiny after United went out of Europe on Tuesday night, finishing bottom of their Champions League group following a 12th defeat in 24 games this season to Bayern Munich.

There is no appetite at the moment among the current regime to sack Ten Hag, even though it’s accepted that he has to start winning games to protect his position.

The 53-year-old faces a daunting trip to Anfield on Sunday, where he suffered a 7-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool in March, and United will be without a number of first-choice players.

There is sympathy for Ten Hag that he has been hit by a crippling injury-list this season, and had to work against the backdrop of the club’s takeover battle as well as several off-the-field distractions involving Mason Greenwood, Antony and Jadon Sancho.

Erik ten Hag’s job is not yet under threat at Manchester United but the coach has work to do

United crashed out of the Champions League and European competition after defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will take the helm of football operations at Old Trafford in the new year

Your browser does not support iframes.

On one hand, Ratcliffe taking charge of football affairs has made it more likely for any decision over Ten Hag’s future to be delayed until the INEOS owner acquires a quarter of the club for £1.25billion.

The deal is set to be announced shortly but will take another six to eight weeks to be fully ratified. It could be February at the earliest before Ratcliffe is in a position to execute key decisions, although he would be able to exert influence over issues like a change of manager.

On the other hand, Ten Hag’s position is likely to become even more precarious under Ratcliffe and his director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford if results don’t improve by then.

INEOS have no particular loyalty to the former Ajax boss, given that they did not appoint him in the first place, and are understood to be deeply unimpressed by United’s form this season.

Source: Read Full Article