Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is facing significant pressure as he awaits a decision on his future from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team. Ineos opted to retain ten Hag in the dugout over the summer despite widespread speculation regarding his position.
Erik ten Hag won the FA Cup final against Manchester City, and while Ineos explored options with other managers, the Dutchman retained his position. However, doubts lingered about his long-term viability as the club’s manager, and the initial signs of pressure this season have fueled speculation. With United securing only two wins from seven Premier League matches and failing to triumph in their first two Europa League games, reports indicate that Ten Hag’s future will be discussed in a meeting on Tuesday. Ineos is set to evaluate whether a managerial change is necessary during this international break.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly keen on bringing in a Champions League winner, and while it would be surprising to see Erik ten Hag dismissed in the upcoming meeting, the pressure is mounting. According to the Daily Mail, Ratcliffe holds a particular admiration for Thomas Tuchel.
The two had discussions about the United job over the summer after Tuchel’s departure from Bayern Munich, and Ratcliffe has even explored financial terms with him. However, this enthusiasm for Tuchel is not universally shared within the club. Key members of Manchester United’s executive team have expressed reservations about pursuing Tuchel, indicating that while Ratcliffe may be interested, appointing him could face significant opposition from others at Old Trafford.Thomas Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, was sacked in 2022 and recently faced challenges at Bayern Munich. His potential move to Manchester United may not sit well with some players, particularly Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, who were signed from Bayern over the summer at Erik ten Hag’s request, given their prior connection at Ajax.It appears that Tuchel’s lack of enthusiasm for the duo, having barely utilized them during his time at Bayern, raises concerns. Both players were relegated to bit-part roles under Tuchel and struggled for starting positions in the Bundesliga last season. Now, just months after reuniting with Ten Hag, De Ligt and Mazraoui could find themselves under Tuchel’s management again, which may be unsettling for them after a challenging previous season.
