Gary Neville believes that a decision on Erik ten Hag’s long-term Manchester United future will already have been decided by the new hierarchy.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent stake in the club was formally announced last week following a lengthy period of ratification from the Premier League, after which he gave his first-ever set of interviews regarding his intentions as part-owner of the 20-time champions, and it’s safe to say they align with the Old Trafford faithful.
He, as expected, kept tight-lipped on the security of Ten Hag’s position in the dugout after what’s been an ultimately dismal campaign for the Reds so far this term. They were out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup by Christmas and currently sit eight points away from the top four.
Guiding the side to silverware in the FA Cup would undoubtedly give the manager some much-needed credit in the bank, but should results like last Saturday’s (2-1 loss at home to Fulham) continue, a reshuffle may be on the cards.
Neville’s verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Speaking on tonight’s Monday Night Football episode, Jamie Carragher quizzed Neville on whether Ratcliffe and co will be scouring the manager market now given that the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona will all have new faces taking the reins this summer.
The former club captain responded: “If you look at the guy that’s come in from [Manchester] City as CEO [Omar Berrada], obviously they’re looking to get Dan Ashworth in from Newcastle, they’re going to make a decision quite quickly – if not already.
“I suspect that Jim Ratcliffe [and] Dave Brailsford already know whether they’re going to keep Erik ten Hag as manager next season. I can’t believe they’re going to wait until May to make that decision and then leave themselves short.
“Where Manchester United have been found out in the last 10 years in recruitment – on and off the pitch – is making poor decisions, late decisions. Not being ahead of the game. I don’t think they’re going to do that so, for me, I suspect that they’ve already come to a conclusion. It may even be whether it’s Champions League or not, they still will stick with that decision.”
"I can't believe they're going to wait until May" ⏳
Gary Neville tells @carra23 that Man United might already have made a decision about Erik ten Hag's future 👀 pic.twitter.com/sPaY8knpV9
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 26, 2024
Footage courtesy of Sky Sports.
