Manchester United’s senior officials are set to hold an important executive committee meeting today (Tuesday) to discuss the future of their under-pressure manager, Erik ten Hag. The Dutch manager, who has been at the helm of the club since the summer of 2022, is facing mounting pressure following a series of poor results that have left the team struggling in the Premier League.
Among the key figures expected to attend the meeting are Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox. This gathering follows United’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park last Sunday, a result that confirmed the club’s worst start to a Premier League season in years. With just five goals in seven games and currently sitting 14th in the league table, Manchester United’s struggles are causing deep concern within the club’s leadership.
The decision-making process is expected to be led by co-chairman Joel Glazer, who, alongside Ratcliffe and Brailsford, forms the critical decision-making trio at the club. As the situation escalates, reports from Sky Sports suggest that chief operating officer Collette Roche and chief financial officer Roger Bell may also be present at the summit, highlighting the severity of the situation and the importance of the decisions that will follow.
Sunday’s goalless draw at Villa Park, witnessed by Ratcliffe, Brailsford, and other top executives, has intensified the scrutiny on Erik ten Hag’s tenure as manager. The team’s lack of offensive output and inability to secure victories have raised concerns about the direction of the club under his leadership. Despite a promising start to his managerial career at Old Trafford, which saw the team clinch a top-four finish last season, the current campaign has exposed significant shortcomings in United’s performances.
As the club considers its options, names of potential replacements are already surfacing. Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is one of the leading candidates being linked with the job. Tuchel, known for his tactical acumen and success in both domestic and European competitions, is seen by many as a strong contender to take the reins at Old Trafford should the club decide to part ways with ten Hag.
Another name reportedly in the frame is former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick. Carrick, who is currently managing Middlesbrough in the Championship, is viewed as a potential candidate with strong ties to the club. Having spent the majority of his playing career at Old Trafford, Carrick is familiar with the inner workings of Manchester United and could be a popular choice among fans who would welcome a former player leading the team.
For Erik ten Hag, the upcoming executive meeting could be a defining moment in his Manchester United career. The manager, who came with high expectations following his success at Ajax, now faces the possibility of being dismissed if the board determines that the current downward spiral is unlikely to be reversed under his leadership. Although he enjoyed success in his first season, guiding United to the UEFA Champions League and overseeing an improvement in their overall performances, this season’s struggles have quickly undone much of that goodwill.
Manchester United’s difficulties extend beyond the manager, however. The team has been plagued by inconsistent performances, a lack of cohesion in attack, and struggles in defense. Injuries to key players have further compounded the situation, leaving ten Hag with a squad that has not been able to consistently deliver on the pitch. Additionally, there has been ongoing criticism of the club’s transfer policy and recruitment strategy, with some fans and pundits pointing to a lack of quality additions during the summer transfer window.
Despite these challenges, ten Hag’s fate appears to be in the hands of the club’s executives, who will be carefully weighing their options as they decide the best course of action moving forward. Should they opt to replace him, it would mark another chapter in Manchester United’s turbulent post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, where the club has struggled to find long-term managerial stability.
The decision facing the board is not just about whether to keep or dismiss ten Hag; it is also about charting a clear path forward for a club that has fallen short of its historic standards. The search for a new manager, should it come to that, will require careful consideration, as Manchester United looks to return to its former glory and compete at the highest level both domestically and in Europe.
For now, all eyes will be on the outcome of today’s executive committee meeting. Whether Erik ten Hag retains his position as Manchester United manager or the club decides to move in a new direction, the decisions made will undoubtedly shape the immediate future of one of football’s most storied clubs. With names like Thomas Tuchel and Michael Carrick being floated as possible replacements, the club’s leadership will be under immense pressure to make the right choice for Manchester United’s long-term success.
