Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag’s future at the club remains in limbo following a six hour meeting between senior executives in London on Tuesday.
Sir Jim Radcliffe who recently became a minority owner of the Red devils hosted the meeting at Ineos headquarters in Knightsbridge during which Ten Hag’s position was a topic of discussion.
The discussion concluded without any news regarding Ten Hag, who is currently on vacation with certainty that he will continue to be in charge.
Ten Hag is under immense pressure after a poor start to the season which puts the 13-time Premier League winners 14th in the table with just eight (8) points from seven (7) matches – their worst ever start in the competition.
Ten Hag’s status did not improve despite two draws in the past week, which included a goalless run-out against Aston Villa on Sunday and a 3-3 deadlock against Porto in the Europa League, which halted a run of losses.
Ratcliffe was spotted leaving the meeting with his right-hand man, director Sir Dave Brailsford, who has been closely connected with Man United ever since Ineos acquired a minority stake in the club.
Last week, Ratcliffe had publicly declined to support the Dutchman, stating that Ten Hag’s future is “not my call.”
Mail Sport is aware that Ratcliffe, Joel Glazer, and Brailsford will ultimately decide on Ten Hag’s future.
The recommendations of Man United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, as well as sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, will guide their decision.
Ratcliffe and co-chairman Glazer attended a Fan Advisory Board meeting at Old Trafford on Monday before leaving for London the next day.
The executive committee meeting was also attended by Chief Financial Officer Roger Bell and Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche.
As Ten Hag’s future was uncertain prior to the FA Cup final, Ratcliffe, who is well known to be a fan of Tuchel, met the German coach in Monaco that summer.
Though it’s uncertain if the challenges that kept Tuchel from taking Ten Hag’s place back then can be solved, the manager is still available.
Among them was money, as was reported. At this stage, it is understood that United and his representatives have not had any further contact.
Tuchel would be managing in the Premier League again after leaving Chelsea in 2022 if he were to be appointed.
Putting Ten Hag’s new assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge as an interim manager is United’s second obvious alternative.
Having managed PSV Eindhoven, the former United striker made his way back to Old Trafford as part of a summer coaching staff shuffle. Van Nistelrooy is well-liked within the team and has gotten to know the players and staff.
Other than that, not much has changed since June, when Ten Hag was given a one-year contract extension by United after the club determined that maintaining him was the wisest course of action.
Meanwhile, Last month, the first pictures of a possible stadium renovation were made public, marking a significant advancement in the plans for a new Old Trafford.