Manchester United’s top executives are set to meet in London on Tuesday to decide the fate of manager Erik ten Hag.
The summit, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, comes amidst the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season. United currently sit 14th in the table with just eight points from seven games.
The meeting will be attended by key figures including chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox.
While there’s no official indication that Ten Hag will be sacked, the possibility looms large given the team’s poor performance.
Should Ten Hag be dismissed, former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is being considered as a potential caretaker manager.
Van Nistelrooy, who joined Ten Hag’s coaching staff this summer, has managerial experience with PSV Eindhoven, where he won the KNVB Cup last season.
However, sources in the Netherlands suggest Van Nistelrooy might find it difficult to accept the role, as it could be seen as a betrayal of Ten Hag.
The club legend scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for United between 2001-06 and is currently on a two-year contract as Ten Hag’s assistant.
Erik ten Hag has come under pressure at United
PA
Manchester United’s challenges extend beyond their league position. The team has failed to score in their past three Premier League matches, raising concerns about their attacking prowess.
Sources close to the club report that inconsistency in team selection and game management have been worrying factors.
Even recent high-profile signings like Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee were left out of the starting lineup in Sunday’s match against Aston Villa.
The meeting this week, while planned in advance, comes at a crucial juncture. It will serve as a stark reminder of the limited progress made since last season, despite significant investment in new players.
The financial implications of sacking Ten Hag are significant, with compensation costs estimated at around £15 million.
Ruud van Nistelrooy could be hired on an interim basis at United
PA
United officials are weighing this factor carefully in their deliberations.
Other potential permanent successors to Ten Hag have been considered.
Thomas Tuchel was interviewed by Jason Wilcox in Monaco regarding the position, though no formal approach has been made recently.
Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure at United
PA
Additional candidates previously considered include Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter, Kieran McKenna, Marco Silva, and Thomas Frank. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has indicated that any decision on Ten Hag’s future would be left to the management team, stating, “I like Erik, I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call.”