Dan Ashworth comments hint at how Manchester United might reach Erik ten Hag decision

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Man United, is facing increasing pressure at Old Trafford, but his sluggish start to the season may not be the only factor leading to his possible dismissal.

Dan Ashworth will be involved in the big decisions. (Image: Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)

Given Manchester United’s current situation, it is easy to forget that the Premier League still has 93 points to be decided this season.

After a goalless draw with Aston Villa on Sunday at Villa Park, it is now five games in all competitions without a win and three straight league games without a goal. To say that Erik ten Hag is facing pressure right now would be an understatement.

The Dutchman’s reign at Old Trafford seems to be eroding from behind. It is unclear whether Ten Hag would be given the order to remove his desk as a result of today’s (Tuesday) meeting in London with senior United officials.

Omar Berrada, the chief executive of United, only gave Ten Hag his full support last month, stating that the Dutchman still had the club’s support. But since then, United has lost both of its first two Europa League matches, lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, and gone three games without scoring in the Premier League.

Since there is still a ton of football to be played and things may change quickly, it might be considered premature to even be talking about the possibility of a manager losing their job in October.

Even though United won a second trophy in as many seasons last season, their problems are long-term. Playing a disorganized style of football, they finished seventh in the Premier League the previous season. This season, they have regressed, winning only two of their first seven league games while scoring a pitiful five goals.

United’s current problems are a part of their larger problems, and there isn’t much evidence to suggest that they are about to end. For instance, in 25 league games played this year, United has only won 10.

Because of this, the possibility that Ineos would decide to bench Ten Hag should represent United’s long-term problems rather than their difficulties since the start of the current campaign.

Former Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth emphasized the need to zoom out and consider the wider picture while stressing the risks of responding hastily to temporary setbacks. But the main issue at United is the wider picture.

“Reacting to short-term form or short-term luck if you don’t pick up a win for three or four games is where clubs have to be careful,” Ashworth said in October of last year at the University Campus of Football Business.

In particular, the Premier League has the power to do it to you. As a sporting director, a board, an ownership, or supporters, you only need to exercise a little caution to ensure that you don’t respond to immediate outcomes and instead focus slightly more on the medium- to long-term.

“There’s always moments for every team where you have rocky periods and you don’t quite hit the levels which your vision or your expectation may have.”

United hasn’t played well this season, save from defeating a poor Southampton team, destroying Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, and drawing 0-0 with Crystal Palace in the first part of last month’s match. Their performances are similar to a lot of those they gave last season, and they still don’t have a distinct playing style.

The hiring and firing cycle at Old Trafford was thought to come to a stop with Ten Hag’s appointment in April 2022, but United’s recent performances and results may compel the team to start the cycle again.

Although Ashworth rightfully dislikes making snap judgments in response to momentary slumps in performance, United’s problems are long-term, therefore the greater picture must be the primary concern.