Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly sought to escape the speculation surrounding his future during the international break by heading on holiday.
The Dutchman’s position is expected to be discussed by United’s ownership group including Joel Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe at a meeting in London on Tuesday, with Sir Dave Brailsford, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox all set to attend.
The group attended United’s bore 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, days after the Red Devils capitulated in Portugal, squandering a two-goal lead to Porto in the Europa League only to escape with a draw thanks to Harry Maguire’s late header.
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The two games were thought to be crucial to determining whether Ten Hag would remain in his role going forward, just a few months after extending his contract. But he won neither and has led United to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season after seven games.
ESPN claim that Ten Hag has gone on holiday after granting time off to the players not involved in international football over the two-week break from club action. United are next set to host Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19.
The report states that Ten Hag believes he still holds the support of INEOS and the ownership group despite being sat 14th in the league table. He confirmed plans to speak to club chiefs after the stalemate at Villa Park and was not informed that his position was under immediate threat.
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The meeting between United’s hierarchy was pre-planned and other topics on the agenda will include a briefing on the upcoming January transfer window, while Joel Glazer has jetted to the United Kingdom to attend a quarterly fans advisory board meeting on Monday.
Thomas Tuchel is the latest name to be linked with replacing Ten Hag, however, with the likes of Simeone Inzaghi, Gareth Southgate and Ruud van Nistelrooy all considered leading contenders to man the helm.
But Ten Hag still believes that he retains the support of the club’s decision-makers. When asked in the aftermath of United’s draw at Villa if he felt that he was still being backed, he replied: “I don’t have any idea that is different because they should have told me [if not]. We communicate very openly and transparently.
“I speak continuously with them. Every week, I would say every day, we talk, so I expect I will speak with them. We are all on board together, on one page. We know where we are working to: it’s a long-term project and we have to keep improving the process.”
