Manchester United owners the Glazers and likely new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe are in agreement regarding the future of manager Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd's worst start to a season since…
The Red Devils have endured an extremely frustrating start to the season, losing 3-0 to Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening in the EFL Cup. In total, Man Utd have now lost eight of their first 15 matches in all competitions this season, a feat they last suffered in the 1962/63 campaign. Speaking after the cup exit, Ten Hag said he feels sorry for Red Devils supporters.
"We know it's not good enough. We have to take responsibility for it. I have to take responsibility for it. I feel sorry for the fans. It was below our standards and we have to put it right. We have to recover from it and we have to do it quickly. Saturday is the next game [against Fulham] and we have to raise our standards. This is not good enough."
The Dutchman appears to be under pressure due to the club’s woeful form, and one report in the last 48 hours have claimed whether or not Glazers and Ratcliffe could sack Ten Hag. According to 90min reporters Graeme Bailey and Scott Saunders prior to the defeat to the Magpies on Wednesday, Ten Hag’s job is viewed as safe by both the Glazers and Ratcliffe. They say Ten Hag ‘retains the full backing of the Manchester United hierarchy’, whereas ‘Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and those soon to assume control also remain confident in Ten Hag's position’.
Man Utd's upcoming fixtures
The Red Devils need to turn things around soon, otherwise, you’d expect the pressure will only continue to mount on the manager. Up next for United is a trip to Fulham in the early kick-off on Saturday, where defeat could see them drop into the bottom half of the Premier League.
Man Utd's upcoming fixtures
Competition
Date
Fulham (A)
Premier League
4th November
FC Copenhagen (A)
Champions League
8th November
Luton Town (H)
Premier League
11th November
Everton (A)
Premier League
26th November
Galatasaray (A)
Champions League
29th November
Newcastle United (A)
Premier League
2nd December
Chelsea (H)
Premier League
6th December
AFC Bournemouth (H)
Premier League
9th December
Bayern Munich (H)
Champions League
12th December
Liverpool (A)
Premier League
17th December
West Ham (A)
Premier League
23rd December
Aston Villa (H)
Premier League
26th December
Nottingham Forest (A)
Premier League
30th December
As can be seen, following the next international break, the games come thick and fast until the end of the year, by which you’d expect Ratcliffe could have completed his investment to take control of sporting decisions. It’ll be interesting to see how much patience he has with the Dutchman, should results not improve, but by the looks for things, his job is safe for now.