Suspense over Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United continues as executive committee meeting ends

Suspense continues over Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United after the club’s executive committee met on Tuesday in London. The meeting was held at the office of Ineos, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe, the largest minority stakeholder in Manchester United, is part of the three-member committee responsible for making key decisions at the club.

Apart from Ratcliffe, co-owners Joel Glazer and INEOS’ director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford are also part of the committee.

They are on the executive committee as well which includes chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, chief financial officer Roger Bell, and chief operating officer Collette Roche.

No communication after meeting

All of the members of Man United’s top brass met in London and as usual, no communication was made by the club after the meeting. As a tradition, the Red Devils only issue communication if a major decision is made at the executive meeting. This, for now, indicates that the committee is willing to continue with ten Hag despite Manchester United making their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign with just eight points from seven games and five goals scored.

ten Hag was already under pressure after United finished eighth in the Premier League last season but the Dutch manager was handed a one-year extension until 2026 as he won the FA Cup last season and sacking him now may look bad on the executive committee.

Sack can still come

However, one cannot be 100 per cent sure that United will not sack him in the coming time even though they have been patient so far. Currently, there’s an international break that allows the club to scout for new coaches with former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy tipped as the favourite to return to Old Trafford. He led PSV Eindhoven to the KNVB Cup in the 2022-23 season.

Read: 5 managers who can replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and ex-England coach Gareth Southgate are some of the other names linked with the United job.

ten Hag’s future at Manchester United also largely depends on Berrada, Ashworth, and Wilcox’s feedback. The trio is responsible for managing the club’s affairs on a day-to-day basis and it will be interesting to hear what they said in the executive meeting.