Reportedly, should Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in the club be finalized, replacing Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not be a top priority.
On Saturday at Craven Cottage, the Red Devils achieved a 1-0 victory over Fulham, reversing two consecutive 3-0 home losses to Manchester City and Newcastle United.
Despite the victory, Ten Hag continued to put forth a comparatively subpar effort, and the onus remains on them to definitively reverse their fortunes for the remainder of the season.
Additionally, a report published on Friday claimed that Ten Hag will be fired by British billionaire Ratcliffe if his agreement to purchase a 25% stake in the club is approved.
It is believed that the Glazers will grant Ratcliffe permission to restructure the club’s football department, with the INEOS founder seeking to exert strict oversight over the organization’s recruitment following several errors in recent times.
Ratcliffe reportedly wants Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi to replace Kevin Ten Hag at Manchester United, and former Wolves and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui reportedly “awaits the call” from the Red Devils to assume the managerial position.
However, according to the Daily Mirror, prospective new investor Ratcliffe “has not yet prioritised the recruitment of a new manager” and that current manager Ten Hag “has the ability to improve the team’s performance given sufficient time and the assistance of a more streamlined recruitment operation.”
According to reports, the emphasis will be on the recruitment practices of chief executive Richard Arnold and director of football John Murtough, as Ratcliffe is “apprehensive about the exorbitant fees United has incurred in recent years and whether the club has been receiving value for its investment.”
Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United, which has the fourth-highest net spend in the English Premier League in 2023, appears to be on the line in the following five matches against Luton Town, Everton, and Newcastle United in the Premier League, and Copenhagen and Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole advised Ten Hag, in the wake of their 1-0 victory at Fulham, to maintain his confidence in Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, stating that he can “trust” them.
Cole stated on TNT Sports, “Erik ten Hag and Manchester United have accomplished a monumental feat. Rio Ferdinand is correct; we predicted prior to the game that Ten Hag would select players in whom he has faith. Bruno Fernandes has won matches in the past. He has faith in him.
“As for Scott McTominay, he performed admirably in the midfield. He can rely on Harry Maguire because he anticipates what he will receive.
“Jonny Evans was a pillar for Manchester United.” Despite the fact that it was by no means a strong performance, the Manchester United players deserve credit for making an effort and digging in.
“This may serve as the impetus [for United to reverse its current form].”