All eyes will be on Erik ten Hag this week as he attempts to salvage his role as Manchester United manager.
The miserable 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday afternoon extended Manchester United’s awful start to the season and ramped up the pressure around Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman will have two games to turn things around – Thursday’s Europa League clash against Porto and the Premier League trip to face Aston Villa on Sunday.
Ten Hag responded to sack rumours with an emphatic statement this week but it will take an almighty turnaround for him to stay in the job.
The United dressing room remains behind Ten Hag but players will have to show a huge improvement from Sunday’s performance when they face Porto if they plan on him staying.
Gary Neville’s stance on Erik ten Hag
United legend Gary Neville was understandably critical of United’s display against Tottenham – who wasn’t?
He labelled it a “disgusting” performance and flagged comments from Christian Eriksen as “worrying”.
Neville has also given his thoughts on Gareth Southgate becoming United boss, but he has now challenged Ineos and club chiefs to rally behind Ten Hag in the coming weeks.
Speaking on the It’s Called Soccer podcast, Neville said: “The reason Erik ten Hag was given a chance was that they believe with a strong structure around him, which previous Man United managers haven’t had, that he can succeed.
“This is where they are going to need that rock-solid structure around them and they are going to need those people that have great experience.
“I have worked with Dan Ashworth before, Omar Berrada has been at Manchester City, Jason Wilcox has done this job a long time and Dave Brailsford has been in elite sport for a long time.
“I don’t think they want to sack him. I think they want to get to at least the end of this season. Because once you start sacking managers during a season we all know that it’s tough.
“But if performances carry on as they are and results carry on as they are it will be very challenging for Ineos not to do something in the next weeks or months.
“But in the meantime, they have got to try and think of a way that these players, this manager, this coach can connect and create something in the next couple of weeks.”
Erik ten Hag has survived the sack before
This is not Ten Hag’s first rodeo. The United boss has stood on the brink of being sacked before and survived.
Cast your mind back to the FA Cup final, and for the entire build-up to the match it seemed as though Ten Hag would lose his job. However, he led United to victory at Wembley over Manchester City and Ineos eventually handed him a one-year extension.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag comments make a clear point on his new coaching staff, and his future
Ten Hag often wins games when under pressure, and the sack rumours have made his job simple this week – beat Porto and Villa or prepare to pack your bags.
But Ineos clearly felt Ten Hag was the best option going forward after holding talks with Thomas Tuchel and other managerial candidates, so he does deserve a chance to progress under the new structure at the club.
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