Erik ten Hag knows Manchester United’s next two games will decide his fate despite insisting he has the backing of the club’s hierarchy, according to reports.
The Dutchman was kept on back in the summer after guiding the Red Devils to FA Cup glory, despite overseeing a wretched season at Old Trafford.
But United have continued to stumble this term and currently sit 13th in the Premier League table with just seven points from six matches.
The fallen giants are due to face Porto in the Europa League on Thursday before then going up against Aston Villa three days later.
Erik ten Hag sack latest: Man Utd boss is privately aware the club’s next two matches will decide his fate
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Publicly, Ten Hag has come out fighting.
He insists he has the backing of the board, that United are a team in ‘transition’ and that his CV of winning trophies speaks for itself.
According to The Mirror, however, the 54-year-old is privately aware United’s next two matches will decide his fate.
Over the years, the Red Devils have preferred to give managers time to turn things around.
But there’s a sense that if the rut continues, then United will have no choice but to relieve Ten Hag of his duties.
The report also says one member of the Dutchman’s inner circle believes ‘pathetic’ individual errors are costing the side.
They are worried these mistakes could lead to Ten Hag losing his job, with the 54-year-old and his coaching staff adamant they’re doing everything at their end to lead to an improvement.
If Ten Hag does end up being sacked, several names have been touted as potential replacements.
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Thomas Tuchel is one, despite the German reportedly turning down the chance to manage United back in the summer.
Gareth Southgate has been linked, with INEOS believed to be big admirers of the former England boss.
Thomas Frank, Marco Silva and Roberto Martinez were all sounded out in the summer – meaning United could go for one of the trio.
And Ruud van Nistelrooy may even be given the keys to Old Trafford, having returned to his old club to serve as Ten Hag’s assistant earlier in the summer.
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Erik ten Hag sack latest: Man Utd boss is adamant he can turn the situation around at Old Trafford
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Ten Hag, meanwhile, is adamant there’s nothing to worry about.
“We are going to make a success from the season,” the former Ajax boss told Sky Sports.
“Nothing is easy, but this is nothing for me to panic about.
“We can sort the problems out, this team can sort this out.”
Erik ten Hag sack latest: Man Utd could appoint Ruud van Nistelrooy as a replacement
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When asked if he feared the sack, he added: “I’m not thinking about it, I’m not anxious.
“We created a togetherness in the summer with the ownership and the leadership.
“We made this agreement, and we were all behind it. We know the strategy [is to bring in] young players in a transition period.
“They also know in May in all my last six seasons there were always trophies and that is what we are aiming for.”