5 hours Ago By [email protected] (David McDonnell, Oscar Maung-Haley)
Just five weeks ago, chief executive Omar Berrada publicly backed manager . Throwing his weight behind the embattled Dutchman, he declared: "Erik has our full backing. We're going to continue working very closely with him to help him get the best results.
" Those words were echoed by sporting director Dan Ashworth, who linked up with United this past summer, following his controversial exit from . The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us! Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens..
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If you’re curious, you can read our . "I see my job is to support him [Ten Hag] in every way I possibly can," Ashworth chimed in. "To allow him to fully focus on the training pitch and the tactical plan to deliver success for .
" However, both those statements will be tested on Tuesday when United's top brass, which includes Berrada, Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford, meet to discuss Ten Hag's future, alongside Joel Glazer, part of the majority ownership group, reports . Not long after Berrada and Ashworth's public support of Ten Hag, United were thrashed 3-0 by arch-rivals at Old Trafford prior to the September international break. And since that humiliation, life at Old Trafford has been testing for Ten Hag and United, with a battering by by the same scoreline following in their next home league game.
United currently sit 14th in the table having picked up eight points from seven games which is their worst ever start to a domestic campaign. To make matters worse for Ten Hag, their 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday last weekend actually saw United out do their previous worst start, which was just last season. They have only managed to net five goals from seven games their lowest tally in 52 years and have drawn a blank in their last three league matches.
They've played 11 matches this season, with victories only against Fulham, and Barnsley. While today's meeting in Mayfair is a regular monthly event, one topic will dominate the discussion whether to stick with Ten Hag or not. Following Sunday's draw to , Ten Hag reiterated his belief that he and the United board share the same long-term vision and agreed when they started working together in the summer that there would be no immediate solution to the team's issues.
But given the worrying decline this season, he has genuine reason to worry and will find out in the next 48 hours whether he still has the backing of his superiors, once they decide if they need a fresh voice and vision in the dressing room. If Ratcliffe's recent public comments on Ten Hag are any indication of what the United board are thinking, then the 54-year-old may have to start looking for a new job. Asked about his confidence in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe said: "I don't want to answer that question.
I like Erik. I think he's a very good coach, but at the end of the day it's not my call. It's the management team that's running Manchester United that has to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.
" While Berrada openly supported Ten Hag, Ratcliffe's vague remarks hinted at a possible change in attitude within the United top brass towards their gaffer, casting doubt over the future of the ex-Ajax chief. Leaders gathered at today's high-level meeting are faced with a major decision: pondering if there's an upturn under Ten Hag on the horizon or if after splashing £600m across five transfer windows, he should've already taken the squad to new heights and his time has run out..
