New Delhi: Manchester United’s executives will be having a meeting on Tuesday, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe leading the summit. One of their biggest agenda items will be Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford. It has been reported that Ten Hag’s assistant, Rudd van Nistelrooy, will be seen as an interim manager should they decide to change United’s manager.
Aside from Ratcliffe, who currently controls the football department, the chief executive, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, and Jason Wilcox, the technical director, will be in attendance. The executive floor of Man United will think that a change in the leadership is long overdue, with Ten Ha’s role in the team already having a proper evaluation in the summer. Back then, United had decided to stay with the 54-year-old manager.
However, it was clear that despite the contract’s expiry date, it was clear that Ten Hag’s performance would be under scrutiny. Everyone had hoped for the Dutchman to repeat his Ajax stint, where he had won the Eredivisie title back-to-back in 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and led the side to the UEFA Champions League semi-final of 2018-19.
So far in the season, United haven’t fared well enough, with just two wins in the Premier League and none in the Europa Cup, and the case for Ten Hag’s axing is becoming more certain.
What can Van Nistelrooy offer to Manchester United?
🔴 Erik ten Hag: “It’s the fourth clean sheet this season”.
“You can see we had very good organisation and togetherness”.
“There was good character and good spirit as a team. Determined, resilient”. pic.twitter.com/UpftqJu0tj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 6, 2024
Van Nistelrooy joined the club in July this year, having managed PSV Eindhoven in 2022-23 except for one game and helping the side to a KNVB Cup victory. The Dutch international had played with the side between 2001 and 2006. He was the highest goal scorer for the side in the 2002-03 season, when United enjoyed a successful season, winning their eighth Premier League title.
This means, if not permanently, Van Nistelrooy can lead the side as he knows the atmosphere required for United to succeed. An obvious choice for Ten Hag’s replacement could be Thomas Tuchel, who was reportedly interviewed by Wilcox in Monaco back in the summer for the position. Since then, the club hasn’t officially approached the former Bayern Munich manager.
While there is no scarcity of contenders who can replace Ten Hag, when asked to comment on the future of the former Ajax manager, Ratcliffe chose his words wisely and didn’t wish to speak on the matter but maintained that he was fond of Ten Hag and that he felt he was a good coach but the decision would be on the top management.
Frustration and tension were evident during the Red Devils’ goalless draw over Aston Villa, with Ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy engaged in a heated exchange. A string of poor performances clearly took a toll on the camaraderie, and to take the side on a positive approach, Van Nistelrooy will be eager to take the United offer.
As Manchester United’s regular executive all set to happen on Tuesday, Erik Ten Hag’s future at the Old Trafford will be the biggest concern for United’s top floor. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
