Jim Ratcliffe REFUSES to back Erik ten Hag as comments on Man Utd boss speak volumes

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is under pressure following a sluggish start to the season, with a crucial Premier League encounter away at Aston Villa on the horizon.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe says that it is not his choice whether or not Erik ten Hag remains Manchester United’s manager.

Ten Hag is under increasing pressure at Old Trafford following a difficult start to the season. United are in the bottom half of the Premier League table after six games, with a trip to high-flying Aston Villa coming up on Sunday.

Ratcliffe made a number of behind-the-scenes moves during his first summer in control of the club’s football operations. Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, and Jason Wilcox have all joined Ineos, and the CEO emphasized their inexperience.

Ten Hag’s future was a topic of concern throughout the summer, with United looking for prospective alternatives before opting to continue with the Dutchman. Ratcliffe’s comments, made just two days before the Villa game, shed additional light.

When asked if he trusted the management, he said, “I don’t want to answer that question…” “I like Erik.” I think he’s a great coach, but at the end of the day, it’s up to Manchester United’s management staff to determine how to best run the squad in a variety of ways,” commented Ratcliffe, who is in Barcelona for the Americas Cup.

“But the team that is running Manchester United has only been together since June or July.” [CEO] Omar [Berrada] and [Sporting Director] Dan Ashworth didn’t show there in January, February, March, or April; they arrived in July.

“They have only been there…”You can count it in weeks nearly; they haven’t been there long, so they need to take stock and make some smart judgments. Our goal is pretty clear: we want to get Manchester United back to where it should be, and it isn’t there yet.

Ten Hag had hoped to relieve some of the strain with a Europa League victory over Porto on Thursday. It was not to be, however, as United squandered a two-goal advantage before rescuing a late point from Harry Maguire.

“We scored two great goals and then switched off,” stated the manager. “We aren’t maintaining possession or defending; we’re switching off. We conceded the first goal, which was completely unjustified, and then you start a fire in this stadium, which makes things extremely difficult.

“But I’m not judging us right now. I will evaluate us at the conclusion of the season. We are in the process. Please wait. We need to build this team. We will work and continue. We’ll fight.

“We started the game very well, dominating and scoring two goals, but then we lost control.” The middle was poor, the finish was excellent, but we need to work on our defense.”