There has been no clarity on Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United after a summit meeting of the club's hierarchy on Tuesday, where the Dutchman's position as manager was discussed. The meeting, a regular executive committee appointment, took place in Knightsbridge at the offices of Ineos. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the company's owner and United's largest single minority shareholder, led the discussions with Omar Berrada, United's chief executive, Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, and Jason Wilcox, the technical director.
As a routine gathering of the committee, no communication would typically be issued afterward unless a significant decision was made. Following the meeting, club staff had no indication that such a decision had occurred. However, the Ratcliffe-controlled football department, led by Ashworth, could still decide to remove Ten Hag in the coming days. The 54-year-old has managed United's worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign, with eight points from seven games and only five goals scored. They are five points above the relegation zone and six points below fourth place as they enter the latest international break.
If Ten Hag is sacked, his assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, is a potential candidate for caretaker manager if time is needed to appoint a permanent replacement. Van Nistelrooy, who became Ten Hag's assistant in July, managed PSV Eindhoven for all but one match of the 2022-23 season, winning the KNVB Cup. During the summer, Thomas Tuchel was interviewed by Wilcox in Monaco regarding potentially replacing Ten Hag. The German remains of interest should a change be deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire will be out of action for a 'few weeks' after suffering what appeared to be a leg injury in Sunday's goalless draw at Aston Villa, the defender announced. 'Frustrated to pick up an injury at the weekend, will be a few weeks on the sideline for me but I'll come back stronger,' wrote Maguire on Instagram.
