Amidst contrasting reports debating Erik ten Hag’s future in the Manchester United dugout, INEOS chiefs have decided to grant him his wishes while he’s still at the helm.
Per the Daily Mail, the Dutchman had requested that a large white wall -dubbed the ‘wall of secrecy’ be pitched at Carrington in order to keep training sessions private from ‘prying eyes’, with the squad now taking to a ‘more exposed area of the complex’ during their pre-match preparations.
The proposal was signed off on by United’s new co-owners – as well as the leadership group – and was erected in the last fortnight.
It has, however, ‘raised eyebrows’ of club staff, given that the new addition cost a whopping £200,000 to install – at a time when 250 employees have been axed following INEOS’ extreme efforts to cut costs in and around United.
Ten Hag granted his wishes despite an uncertain future at United
Similarly, it’ll prompt queries from fans, given that recent speculation would have you believe Ten Hag is approaching the end of his reign at Old Trafford. It was thought heading into United’s last two fixtures, FC Porto and Aston Villa, that he’d be relieved of his duties if the side were to sustain losses in both.
A 3-3 draw in Portugal last Thursday, followed by a goalless stalemate at Villa Park over the weekend, may well have bided the Dutchman some time – although it’s undoubtedly a case of the decision-makers just kicking the can down the road.
You could forgive INEOS chiefs for opting to hold fire after 2023/24’s FA Cup final victory and assess the landscape. However, with candidates like Thomas Tuchel available on the market, and United currently sitting in 14th place in the English top-flight, the club’s trigger finger will surely be itching.
