'It's not my decision': Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives big update on Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has declared that Erik ten Hag's future as Manchester United manager is out of his hands.
He united man A minority shareholder has been questioned about the Dutchman's future after a run of disastrous results has increased his pressure.
The Red Devils are winless in their first two Europa League games and have picked up just seven points in their first six Premier League games.
A particularly poor week for ten witches It began with a terrible performance against Tottenham, in which they were defeated 3-0.
Things did not improve in an equally unconvincing 3-3 draw against Porto, which could easily have ended much worse.
With a tough Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday 6 October, just before the international break, there has been suggestions that Ten Hag's days are numbered.
However, Ratcliffe He has declared that he has no say over the coach's future.
Asked if he still has faith in Ten Hag, the INEOS owner told BBC Sport: “I don't want to answer that question.
“I like Erik. I think he's a very good coach, but at the end of the day it's not my decision.
“It is the management team that runs Manchester United that has to decide how to best manage the team in many different aspects.
“But the team that manages Manchester United has only been together since June or July. They weren't there in January, February, March or April – (CEO) Omar (Berrada), (sporting director) Dan Ashworth – they only arrived in July.
“They've only been there… you can count almost in weeks; they haven't been there for very long, so they need to take stock and make some sensible decisions.
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“Our objective is very clear: we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and obviously we are not there yet. That is very clear. Work to be done.”
The club's co-owner Ratcliffe took over football operations in February 2023, when the team was already in an undesirable position.
Replacements for Ten Hag were considered over the summer, but the club ultimately kept the former Ajax boss and later gave him a one-year contract extension.
Despite finishing in a mediocre eighth place in the top flight, he won his second trophy in as many years for the club.
Man United achieved a shock victory over local rivals Man City in the FA Cup final, having beaten Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final the previous year.
But after such a poor start to the season, there is no guarantee that Ten Hag will have the chance to win more trophies this season.
His message after Porto's tie was a challenging onebut there is consensus that a lot could depend on how far United are against an Aston Villa side who are still flying high from their Champions League victory over Bayern Munich.
