Manchester United co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has declined to give assurances about the future of under-fire manager Erik ten Hag amid growing pressure on the Dutchman following four consecutive winless games. Ten Hag faces a crucial test on Sunday against Aston Villa, with Ratcliffe set to attend the match at Villa Park.
Ratcliffe, who holds a 27.7% stake in Manchester United, emphasized that the decision on Ten Hag’s position is beyond his control. When asked by the BBC in Barcelona if he still backed the manager, Ratcliffe stated, “I don’t want to answer that question. I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach, but at the end of the day it’s not my call. It’s the management team running Manchester United that have to decide.”
Since acquiring his stake in February, the club has undergone key structural changes, including the appointments of Omar Berrada as CEO, Dan Ashworth as Sporting Director, and Jason Wilcox as Technical Director. Ratcliffe pointed out that this management team has only been in place for a short period and needs time to assess the club’s situation and make informed decisions.
Ten Hag’s performance will be closely scrutinized in the upcoming match as speculation continues to swirl about his future at the club.