Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe agree about Erik ten Hag as Man Utd crash and burn

Football Digest: Man Utd urged to give Ten Hag time he needs

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly retains the full backing of the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, despite the team’s egregious form this season. United have been embarrassed on the pitch time and time again throughout the early stages of the campaign and suffered a 3-0 mauling at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

Ratcliffe is in the final stages of negotiating a deal with United’s Glazer family owners to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils. The INEOS boss is expected to take charge of the Red Devils’ football operations as part of the deal, which means he will have a big say on who the club’s manager is. And Ten Hag has done himself no favours this season, with United losing five of their first 10 Premier League matches.

Despite the Red Devils’ struggles, the Glazers and Ratcliffe are still behind Ten Hag according to 90min. And Sir Dave Brailsford, who is currently INEOS’ director of sport and has been tipped to be given a leading role at Old Trafford, is also confident in Ten Hag’s position.

Ratcliffe, Brailsford and those soon to assume control of United are convinced of the Dutchman’s qualities due to his exploits last season and during his time in charge of Ajax. And they don’t believe the Red Devils’ failings are strictly down to the 53-year-old.

Read more: Erik ten Hag responds to ‘player concerns’ with three Newcastle changes

Ten Hag took charge of the 13-time Premier League champions last summer and soon guided his team to silverware as they lifted the Carabao Cup in February. The Dutchman also led United back to the Champions League, courtesy of a third-place league finish, and to the FA Cup final, where they were defeated by Manchester City.

But this season it has been a different story at Old Trafford and the Red Devils have faltered on the pitch. They have fallen to eighth in the Premier League table and are also on the brink of exiting the Champions League in the group stages after losing two of their first three matches in the competition.

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On Sunday, Ten Hag’s team were outfought and outclassed by their neighbours as City ran riot in front of goal. And the pressure from fans is steadily building on the manager.

But Ten Hag insists his team are moving in the right direction. “The three games before we won and the fighting spirit is very good, so I think we are on the way up,” he said after the derby day defeat to the Citizens.

“The start was difficult but now we are on the way up and I’m sure when we get injuries back, we will be stronger. Therefore, we have to be patient but I’m happy with some subs, of some injuries coming back, and then our side will be stronger.”

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