Gary Neville claims there is ‘fear’ in the Man United boardroom – and reveals why it could get ‘really difficult’ for Erik ten Hag during the international break

Gary Neville has claimed there is ‘fear in Manchester United‘s boardroom’ ahead of their clash against Aston Villa in what could be a make-or-break clash for Erik ten Hag.

The United boss has endured a miserable start to his third campaign in charge and recent thrashings combined with European difficulties have seen his tenability come under renewed intense scrutiny.

A heavy defeat against Unai Emery‘s high-flying Villa side will leave the Red Devils with just two wins and sitting amongst the Premier League‘s bottom half ahead of the international break.

The break in league fixtures is a time when clubs have often made changes in the dugout and United legend, Neville, believes that the situation could ‘escalate out of control’ if things go wrong for Ten Hag’s squad at Villa Park.   

‘Clubs do reassess during international breaks. Everyone recognised it felt like a monumental day last week,’ he said on Sky Sports.

Gary Neville has claimed there is ‘fear in Manchester United’s boardroom’ over Erik ten Hag’s (pictured) future

Neville has questioned Ten Hag’s reign at Old Trafford after a difficult start to his third season in charge

Neville believes United INEOS-backed sporting department could make a managerial change in the international break

‘This Villa team know what they’re doing. A bit of fear in that United boardroom that the situation escalates out of control.

‘It will be Ashworth, Berrada supported by Wilcox, then it will be Joel Glazer, Ratcliffe and Brailsford who will validate it. They want to get through this difficult time. 

‘They’ll want to try and make their own decision. If the result and performance is really bad today then it gets really difficult,’ he added.

Ten Hag secured himself a contract extension in the summer after leading United to the FA Cup title whilst also overseeing the club’s worst Premier League patch.

The Dutchman was then backed by Ratcliffe and the club’s INEOS-controlled sporting department as recruitment chief Dan Ashworth helped Ten Hag recruit five new additions.

Another summer of spending in excess of £200m was hoped to deliver an immediate improvement on last season’s league struggles, but there are fears Sunday’s trip to Villa could be Ten Hag’s last match in charge.

Ten Hag backed his underperforming Man United stars to deliver against Aston Villa

The United boss remains optimistic about his future prospects at Old Trafford despite recent results

However, the United manager remains adamant his team is following a ‘process’ that will eventually yield success and backed his underfiring stars to deliver in the pivotal Midlands clash.

Speaking pre-match to Sky Sports, Ten Hag said: ‘There is always pressure but no more pressure than any other game. 

‘Every game is an important game, so don’t make it too big. We are calm and composed and so is everybody in the whole club.

‘We don’t raise this topic in the club and the team, we just have to improve. In every process you need a strong mentality, we are only focusing on that we need to improve are deficits,’ he added.