News coming out of Manchester United suggests that Erik ten Hag will receive a decision on his continuity as the Red Devils’ manager before the international break is up.
The club’s upper echelons are reportedly reviewing his performances so far this season in order to determine if he will continue as the club’s gaffer. However, ten Hag believes that his role is not in danger and is calm while spending time with his family following the commencement of the October international break.
The former AFC Ajax Amsterdam manager’s confidence comes after a reported meeting with the club’s leadership following the week 7 draw with Aston Villa. He is said to have come out of the meeting with assurances that his role was under no immediate threat and that he would be given more time and support to turn things around. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the leadership team will also be meeting in the coming days over several matters pertaining to the club, one of which is ten Hag’s future.
Reports also claim that Gary Neville, former Manchester United captain, broadcaster and vocal critic of ten Hag, will be in those meetings.
One of ten Hag’s worries as United boss is how his side has failed to score goals this season despite signing Joshua Zirkzee and having him alongside Rasmus Højlund. Asked for a reason for the dearth of goals in his squad after the Aston Villa game, the manager said: “That will come. [There are] more reasons [than not being good enough].”
“Sometimes it’s the form,” he added. “Rasmus Hojlund is just in the season, he is not up to 100 [per cent] fitness, match fitness. And he is our goalscorer, I would say our best goalscorer. But also others, we know they can score goals, like [Marcus] Rashford. But he scored in Porto, he had a good assist in Porto, [against Villa] he created two very good chances.”
“I think [Alejandro] Garnacho is, all season, already a threat, but also scoring and assisting. Bruno [Fernandes] has abilities to score goals.”
“We will get there and we trust the players. One day it will click.”
United will return to action after the international break against Brentford before travelling to Turkey in the UEFA Europa League to take on Fenerbahçe headed by their former manager José Mourinho, who still has an ax to grind with the club after his unceremonious dismissal some years ago.
