Skip to content
Analysis

Man Utd will not panic over Erik ten Hag future and will be 'measured' over boss' performance ahead of executive meeting today

Manchester United will not panic and are determined to be 'measured' in how they assess Erik ten Hag's future; Man Utd have won only three of 11 games in all competitions this season, and only Southampton have scored fewer Premier League goals

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports' Melissa Reddy explains the latest news from Old Trafford regarding Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and what the future may hold for him and the club

Manchester United are refusing to panic and will be "measured" when considering next steps over how to move the club forward with Erik ten Hag calm over his position ahead of today's executive committee meeting.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford have a long-scheduled catch-up in London, which will also be attended by chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

All were at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon to witness United's goalless draw with Aston Villa, which confirmed their worst start to a Premier League season and leaves the club 14th in the league, having scored just five times in seven games - more than only 19th-placed Southampton.

Co-chairman Joel Glazer, who along with Ratcliffe and Brailsford forms the key decision-making trinity, will also be at the summit. It represents an INEOS-led commitment to discuss football operations in person monthly.

Sky Sports News understands the timing of the meeting, which is likely to include chief operating officer Collette Roche and chief financial officer Roger Bell, is due to the availability of all required attendees given the international break.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jamie Carragher discusses the lack of consistency at Manchester United and how he believes Erik ten hag will need to return after the international break.

It is not on account of United's form, which sees them winless in five matches across all competitions.

It is the responsibility of Ashworth, Berrada and Wilcox - the latter being the member of the leadership team that works closest with Ten Hag on matters like implementing the game model and who is often present to observe training sessions - to assess performances and progress - or the lack thereof.

Also See:

Man Utd's next six fixtures

  • October 19: Brentford (h)
  • October 24: Fenerbahce (a) - Europa League
  • October 27: West Ham (a)
  • October 30: Leicester (h) - Carabao Cup
  • November 3: Chelsea (h) - live on Sky Sports
  • November 7: PAOK (h) - Europa League

As Sky Sports News has previously reported, there is an awareness that United have significantly underperformed in the final third against their expected goals. Defensive improvement, especially in terms of shots faced, has also been noted.

However, familiar failings like not putting pressure against the ball, being so easy to play against, and quick capitulations after conceding will not be ignored.

One of the overriding questions has been whether the problems are more psychological than tactical given the reactions of players when they lose possession, or when the opposition scores.

Carra: Ten Hag has been 'hung out to dry'

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"He’ll probably find it tough to get to the next international break as the manager, but if the results turn of course he will.

"At Man Utd it’s not just about results, for a long time it’s been about performances. A lot of the time when they get results, it feels a little bit fortunate in some ways.

"Last season Scott McTominay got so many last-minute goals for them, and you know if performances don’t improve they can’t get sustained results.

"They might get one here or there, that’s why we love the game, unexpected things can happen. But the start of this season hasn’t been too different in terms of performances, you’re seeing the same things we saw last season.

"It’ll be tough for him, but I do have sympathy for him. He’s been hung out to dry on the back of the ownership talking to other managers in the summer.

"No-one in employment would want their bosses publicly speaking to lots of different people within the game, but it’s going to be tough for him to see out the season."

Being unwilling to track runners and making the wrong decisions when in good attacking positions, for example, has been under the microscope.

Ten Hag has been adamant that he retains the backing of the leadership group, which does not contrast with the noise out of the club.

He has not been given any indication that his job is under threat in his regular dialogue with the powers that be.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he and the club's owners are on board together but called for his players to step up after a 'poor start' after the 0-0 at Aston Villa

"I don't have any idea that is different because they should have told me [if not]," Ten Hag said on Sunday.

"We communicate very openly and transparently. I speak continuously with them. Every week, I would say every day, we talk, so I expect I will speak with them."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Speaking after Manchester United’s draw at Aston Villa, Gary Neville said the result will have bought Erik ten Hag some time and will temporarily ‘keep the wolves away’ - but a 'critical' few weeks are still to follow

Ten Hag had made it abundantly clear when staying on as manager after the strategic review in the summer that the relationship could only work if there was open and honest lines of communication, as well as professional courtesy.

He refused to have a repeat of the situation where there was silence from the hierarchy while his job was being marketed around Europe.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Danyal Khan and Patrick Rowe analyse Manchester United and Aston Villa's goalless draw and what it could mean for Erik ten Hag's future

Having made the decision to stick with Ten Hag, United's leadership team have wanted to give him at least a full season to operate under the new set-up.

Results, the manner of performances, and whether there is enough reason to trust the process will ultimately dictate whether that will be the case.

Ashworth and Berrada, both not involved in the choice to retain the Dutchman in the summer as it preceded their appointments at the club, gave him their full support at the start of September.

"We're going to continue working very closely with him to help him get the best results out of the team," Berrada said.

"Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely. We think Erik is the right coach for us and we're fully backing him."

Ashworth added: "I see my job is to support him in every way I possibly can, and whether that's operationally, whether that's with recruitment, whether that's with medical, whether that's with psychology, whether that's training ground flow, it's just to take as much of that off him to allow him to fully focus on the training pitch and the match tactical plan to deliver success for Manchester United."

A £1,000,000 SUPER 6 WINNER!
A £1,000,000 SUPER 6 WINNER!

Tom from Southampton became a millionaire for free with Super 6! Could you be the next jackpot winner? Play for free!

A £1,000,000 SUPER 6 WINNER!
A £1,000,000 SUPER 6 WINNER!

Tom from Southampton became a millionaire for free with Super 6! Could you be the next jackpot winner? Play for free!