Man Utd co-owner Jim Ratcliffe flying in for Aston Villa match amid Erik ten Hag sack threat

Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will attend Sunday’s critical Premier League meeting with Aston Villa, as reports that Erik ten Hag is facing the sack continue.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be in attendance for Manchester United’s match against Aston Villa on Sunday, as speculation about Erik ten Hag’s future grows.

The United boss is fighting to keep his job after witnessing a disappointing start to the new season. The Red Devils are now 13th in the Premier League, having won only two of their first six league games. Ten Hag has been under increased scrutiny in recent weeks, despite the fact that the Dutchman was handed a contract extension in the summer following reports that he would be removed at the helm.

The former Ajax manager has been put in a vulnerable situation following their humiliating 3-0 home loss to Tottenham last weekend and Thursday night’s dramatic Europa League tie with FC Porto.

Now, the United manager will fly into the UK for Sunday’s crucial match against the Villans, fresh off their Champions League victory over Bayern Munich.

Ratcliffe will be in attendance at Villa Park in a game that might be pivotal for Ten Hag as the international break approaches.

If matters get to that stage, Ratcliffe will have the last word on firing Ten Hag, albeit any decision will be taken in collaboration with Sir Dave Brailsford and Joel Glazer. The trio would consult with chief executive Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth, the club’s new sports director. The news of Ratcliffe’s presence over the weekend is unlikely to dispel suspicions that Ten Hag may be fired if United fail to perform in their two games this week.United’s defeat against Tottenham on Sunday means they have lost successive Premier League home games without scoring for the first time since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last days in charge in 2021.

Despite worries about his future, Ten Hag has remained stubborn.

Speaking after the loss to Spurs, he said he did not fear being fired, saying: “No, I’m not thinking about it. We’re all on the same page, or in the same boat, including the owners, staff, and players. So I’m not concerned about the sack.

“We all took the choice to continue together as an ownership and leadership group. In the summer, we also decided, based on a thorough evaluation, what we needed to improve and how we wanted to build a team. But we knew it would take time.

However, concerns remain about how much time he has left, and whether it is running out.