Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who assumed control of the club’s football operations in February, has addressed the uncertain future of under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag. Following a challenging start to the season, Ratcliffe has suggested that Manchester United’s new leadership team will “take stock and make some sensible decisions” in the coming months. While the club activated a one-year extension for Ten Hag’s contract in July, recent performances have led to mounting questions about his position.
When questioned on whether he still believes in Ten Hag’s leadership, Ratcliffe chose not to respond directly, explaining that decisions on the manager’s future rest with the club’s management team. “I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach,” Ratcliffe said, “but at the end of the day, it’s not my call.”
New Leadership Faces a Short Period to Assess Team
The leadership team at Manchester United has undergone significant changes over recent months, with new figures such as CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth only joining in the summer. Ratcliffe emphasized that these leaders, having only been in place since June or July, need time to evaluate the team’s needs comprehensively. “They’ve only been there a few months. We need to take stock and make some sensible decisions,” he remarked.
Ratcliffe also reiterated his commitment to restoring United’s former glory, admitting that the club is currently far from meeting expectations. With United positioned 13th in the Premier League and winless in European competitions, the road ahead remains challenging.
Ten Hag’s Mixed Record at Old Trafford
Since his appointment in 2022, Ten Hag has had a mixed tenure with the club, winning two trophies and leading United to a third-place Premier League finish in his first season. His initial season saw success with a Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle and an FA Cup triumph over Manchester City in May, which were seen as crucial to his retention. However, a tougher second season followed, as United exited the Champions League in the group stage and finished eighth in the league standings, despite an eventual FA Cup win.
The club decided to trigger an extension of Ten Hag’s contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2026. Nevertheless, with a record of only three wins in the first 10 games of this season, pressure has grown on the Dutch manager. United’s upcoming clash with Aston Villa before the October international break could prove pivotal in the club’s assessment of its direction.
