Erik ten Hag responds to speculation on Marcus Rashford's benching”>Manchester United manager
Erik ten Hag is said to have retained his position following a meeting held by the club’s executives on Tuesday. The team’s poor start to the new Premier League season was extensively discussed during the meeting. United has only managed to collect eight points from seven matches and has scored just five goals, which is their lowest tally at this stage of a season since 1972. Reports had suggested that Ten Hag would be sacked before May’s FA Cup final, but those plans were abandoned after an unexpected victory over Manchester City in the Wembley showpiece.Rumors of Ten Hag’s potential departure resurfaced after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at the end of September. However, sources within United’s hierarchy consistently stated that they were reluctant to dismiss the Dutchman so soon after triggering a one-year extension in his contract.
The board meeting, which took place at INEOS’s London offices on Tuesday, focused primarily on Ten Hag’s future. It lasted from 11:30 am until early evening and concluded with the decision that he would remain as manager, according to The Times.
Club chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe had already scheduled this meeting as part of their monthly catch-up but its significance increased due to the team’s poor form. Attendees included INEOS director sport Sir Dave Brailsford, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Ratcliffe, who became United’s largest single majority shareholder in February with his £1.25bn investment, stated earlier this week that he would defer to his new executive team regarding Ten Hag’s future. “I like Erik,” Ratcliffe said. “I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call.”