Erik ten Hag may want the Manchester United takeover saga to rumble on into the New Year as he faces mounting scrutiny at Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly lining up a replacement, but the Dutchman will desire more time to prove he’s the right man to guide United out of their current rut.
Ten Hag made a promising start to life in M16 last season, finishing third in the Premier League, reaching the FA Cup final and lifting the Carabao Cup.
But that triumph over Newcastle United at Wembley in February seemed to be the peak before his tenure spiralled into disaster, sparked by the 7-0 defeat at Liverpool a month later.
Ten Hag reached 50 wins in the joint-fewest number of games in United’s history at the start of this term, emphasising how well he started after joining from Ajax last summer.
That said, 12 defeats in 24 games, a Carabao Cup fourth-round exit and Champions League group-stage elimination have left him under mounting scrutiny.
According to The Telegraph, Ten Hag remains safe under United’s current hierarchy, who have little interest in making a sixth managerial appointment since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive Man Utd news.
However, his job security could change once Sir Jim completes his £1.3billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in United as early as next week.
The report claims Ten Hag will become increasingly vulnerable once the 71-year-old starts his sporting overhaul at Old Trafford.
INEOS – set to inherit power over football operations from the Glazer family – have overseen five managers in four years at their other club, OGC Nice.
United’s current higher powers are said to sympathise with Ten Hag, who has faced mass adversity since the very start of his United reign.
From relentless injury issues this season to constant off-field distractions in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Mason Greenwood, the 53-year-old hasn’t had it easy.
But it remains to be seen how tolerant Sir Jim will be if United’s results continue to falter, given INEOS’ blueprint revolves around being the sporting elite.
The Sun claim that Sir Jim has already met with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter over potentially replacing Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
It’s claimed that a heavy defeat at Liverpool on Sunday, which would mean United have lost more games than they haven’t this term, could be fatal for the Dutchman.
