Former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys has cast doubt on Manchester United following the club's sluggish start to the season, pondering if they might have preferred Sheikh Jassim at the helm rather than INEOS after a series of disappointing results.
United have stumbled out of the gates in Erik ten Hag's third term, managing a last-gasp win against Fulham but then succumbing to consecutive losses before the international break.
The 3-0 drubbing by Liverpool on Sunday has ratcheted up the pressure on Ten Hag, with United clearly outplayed, sparking debates over the Dutchman's future at Old Trafford.
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Keys suggests that INEOS' decision to extend Ten Hag's contract should prompt a closer examination of their stewardship. On his blog, the veteran broadcaster remarked: "How many times have I said he [Ten Hag] lives in a parallel universe? It's embarrassing. Remember - this is Manchester United.
"I'd sack him now. No. I'd have sacked him in the summer. Maybe even before that. He's not the right man to manage United. He's reducing them to a laughing stock.
"I wonder if the clever people running United have got the b**** to sack him during this break? Why not?
"I also wonder how many United fans are now wishing the Qatari bid had prevailed? They would've swept away the whole stagnant sorry mess that United have become - invested millions on and off the field and put the club back in the big time.
"I don't want to spend any more time on this subject - except to say our game needs a strong United. I don't take pleasure now - nor have I ever - in their decline."
Sporting director Dan Ashworth and CEO Omar Berrada have already expressed their satisfaction with Ten Hag as the club's manager.
