Ten Hag convinced he knows Man Utd fate after bosses hold seven-hour sack summit (original) (raw)

Erik ten Hag is planning to be in charge for Man Utd's next game, at home to Brentford after the international break, despite the threat of the sack still hanging over him

Ten Hag believes he is safe in his job for now

Erik ten Hag is planning to be in charge for Manchester United's Premier League game at home to Brentford a week on Saturday.

Ten Hag's future is uncertain after a meeting of United's football executives in London on Tuesday, when the performance of the team and his management was discussed by the club's hierarchy.

United host Thomas Frank's side at Old Trafford in their first game after the international break, with sources close to Ten Hag insisting the Dutchman is focused on preparing for that game.

Ten Hag is currently on holiday, a routine he follows during every international break along with his staff, but plans to return to work early next week to begin preparing for the Brentford game.

Sources have said it is “business as usual” at United in the wake of yesterday's board meeting, which would seem to indicate Ten Hag has been given a stay of execution by his bosses.

But the 54-year-old understands results and performances must improve, with immediate effect, if he is to maintain the support of those above him, who have publicly backed him, despite United's worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign.

United are down in 14th place in the table, with two wins from seven games, just five goals scored and a goal difference of minus three, which has put Ten Hag's job on the line.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford leaving Man Utd's board meeting in London on Tuesday.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-chairman Joel Glazer, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox and director Sir Dave Brailsford all met at United's London HQ to discuss Ten Hag's fate.

While United are keeping tight-lipped about any decisions reached at the meeting, the absence of a statement on Ten Hag's future, suggests he will remain in charge for the foreseeable future.

But Ten Hag knows he cannot afford a third successive Premier League home defeat - after 3-0 losses to Liverpool and Tottenham - when United face Brentford on October 19.

Frank's side have proven tough opponents in recent years, with United needing two goals in added time from Scott McTominay – now at Napoli – to come from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford last season.

The Bees also beat United 4-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium in Ten Hag's second game in charge in his debut season. So Ten Hag knows the scale of the task facing him if, as expected, he is in the Old Trafford dugout next Saturday.

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