In the midst of Manchester United’s ongoing struggles this season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe was seen ushering Sir Dave Brailsford and Dan Ashworth into his London office early Tuesday morning.
With the team’s future hanging in the balance, the meeting has sparked plenty of anticipation among fans and analysts alike.
Erik Ten Hag Under Increasing Pressure
The spotlight on Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, is growing more intense with each passing game.
After a dismal start to the season, the club finds itself sitting 14th in the Premier League standings, amassing just eight points from seven matches.
This unfortunate standing marks their worst start in the history of the Premier League.
Although two recent draws—one a thrilling 3-3 clash against Porto in the Europa League, and the other a goalless encounter with Aston Villa—have momentarily halted the losing streak, they’ve done little to ease concerns about Ten Hag’s position.
Old Trafford’s Future on the Horizon
As if the pressure on the pitch wasn’t enough, plans for a major renovation of Old Trafford have been quietly progressing behind the scenes.
Last month, new images of the potential redesign were unveiled, signaling the club’s intent to push forward with modernizing their iconic home.
Despite the ambitious project, attention remains focused on the club’s performance and management decisions, both on and off the field.
Ratcliffe and Key Executives Convene for High-Stakes Meeting
Against this backdrop, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently took a minority stake in the club, was seen meeting with fellow United power players.
Alongside Brailsford and Ashworth, Ratcliffe was spotted at his Knightsbridge office for what is shaping up to be a critical executive meeting.
The agenda reportedly includes discussions about Ten Hag’s future, a topic that has consumed much of the club’s leadership over the past few days.
A Contingency Plan in the Works?
Manchester United’s leadership is treading carefully to avoid igniting more speculation, especially as rumors swirl around possible replacements for Ten Hag.
Thomas Tuchel and Simone Inzaghi have both been linked with the job, should the club part ways with Ten Hag.
Interestingly, Ratcliffe has reportedly admired Tuchel for some time, even meeting the German coach in Monaco over the summer when Ten Hag’s future was first in doubt.
However, several obstacles still stand in the way of Tuchel taking the helm, including financial considerations.
There’s no indication yet that any fresh discussions have been initiated between the club and Tuchel’s camp.
Ruud van Nistelrooy: An Internal Solution?
Another option on the table could be promoting Ten Hag’s current assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, to the top role on an interim basis.
The legendary United striker rejoined the club this summer as part of a coaching overhaul, having previously managed PSV Eindhoven.
With his deep connections to the players and his respected status within the club, Van Nistelrooy could offer a smoother transition, should the leadership opt for an internal change.
A Familiar Landscape
As things stand, the situation at Manchester United hasn’t shifted dramatically since June, when the club extended Ten Hag’s contract for an additional year.
While the executive team continues to weigh their options, the question on everyone’s mind is: What’s next for Manchester United?
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