Man Utd reach Ten Hag sack verdict as sources confirm next steps after Ratcliffe recommendation

Erik ten Hag is likely to REMAIN as Manchester United manager for the time being after the club decided not to sack him – but the Dutchman is aware that he will continue to be scrutinized after being sent a message by the board and returning early from a holiday to prepare for a crucial home match against Brentford next Saturday.

The Red Devils have faltered and stumbled through the early stages of the season, collecting just eight points from their first seven games and sitting 14th in the Premier League table. Manchester United is now closer to the relegation zone than the top four, and after five games without a win in all competitions, the pressure has been put squarely on Ten Hag.

As a result, the club had a meeting in London on Tuesday to decide the ailing Dutchman’s future. And with minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe unwilling to publicly support Ten Hag when questioned last week, the writing was clearly on the wall.

While we believe that United minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe had urged his dismissal as manager, sports director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Omar Berrada, who ultimately had the last say on the Dutchman’s future, have elected to retain faith.

Multiple sources have already stated that Ten Hag has clung to his position throughout the six-hour meeting at INEOS’s headquarters in central London, despite the fact that he will most likely be told that an urgent improvement is necessary following the club’s worst Premier League start in history.

According to journalist Paul Hirst, writing in The Times, the club’s board met on Tuesday at the INEOS offices in central London. Normally, if a major decision, such as a dismissal, is made during one of these meetings, it is disclosed publicly afterwards, but the club issued no comment on Tuesday evening.

‘It is known that Ten Hag has not been informed that his position is under jeopardy. The manager intends to be in control when the domestic season begins a week from Saturday, when United face Brentford at Old Trafford.’

Ten Hag is prepared for the Brentford clash.

While our understanding is that Ratcliffe had advocated for his departure, even suggesting that Thomas Tuchel make a fresh start, he has put his faith in Berrada and Ashworth, believing that their greater football expertise will determine the best course of action.

However, there is little doubt that Ten Hag is still under examination, and he will be expected to improve quickly.

The manager went off for a holiday following Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, but is now thought to have expressed a desire to return early from that break to begin preparations for the Old Trafford match against Brentford on October 19.

Following that game, United will face Fenerbahce away in the Europa League on Thursday, October 24, West Ham away in the Premier League three days later, and Leicester at home on October 30. Positive outcomes are predicted from all four games for the rest of the month.

Several other sources have also confirmed Ten Hag’s retention, with The United Stand’s Sam C revealing the Dutchman will remain at the helm.

He stated on X: “Erik ten Hag is highly likely to remain Manchester United manager, sources confirm to me.” The manager recognizes that the situation at Manchester United isn’t where it should be, and individuals close to him think he can turn it around.

He then added: ‘It’s business as usual at Manchester United, where Erik ten Hag expected to be in command when Brentford visits.’

Ten Hag, for his part, had expressed confidence that he still had the United board’s backing.

In a combative statement to Sky Sports following Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, the Dutchman said: “We always speak, every week. We’re all on the same page, we understand what we’re doing, and we realize it’ll be a lengthy process. We’ve come through two really difficult away games.

“As a team, we demonstrated our belief and faith. I believe that is the fourth clean sheet this season. You can tell that we were really organized and worked well together. The team has good character and spirit. Determined and resilient.

“We virtually didn’t concede a chance; when you defend like this and get some luck, they had a great chance, but it was almost the only one, I believe. But the two teams were well balanced.”

Next Manchester United manager: Barcelona icon connected; Alonso discussion misguided.

With widespread anticipation that Ten Hag was about to be fired, it was no surprise that a number of high-profile candidates were vying for his position.

To that purpose, sources on Monday said Ratcliffe was preparing to make a bid for former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, and planned to entice him to Old Trafford by bringing one of his favourite former players to the club in the January transfer window.

Those links came after bold reports that a move for Unai Emery was also being considered – yet two explanations swiftly emerged as to why the Aston Villa manager would not be interested in taking on the post.

On Sunday, the Spanish media reported that United were interested in signing Xabi Alonso and were willing to wait until the summer to do it. Such rumors, however, can be immediately disregarded, since Alonso’s loyalty to both Bayer Leverkusen in the short term and the Merseysiders in general make such a move very improbable.

In any case, Ten Hag’s detractors have been out in force, with Paul Scholes and Gary Neville particularly vociferous about the club’s shortcomings under his leadership.

Their former teammate, Wayne Rooney, had a different point of view, stating why he hoped the club will retain faith with the Dutchman.Ten Hag is now second on the list of managers employed by United following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, with a victory percentage of 55.20%.

That puts him second after Jose Mourinho, and the two managers are tied with two championships each, making them the most successful at the club since Ferguson’s reign ended.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is third on the list with 54.17%, and while Louis van Gaal isn’t far behind (52.43%), he does have a title to show for his efforts.