Jason McAteer is convinced Sir Jim Ratcliffe will move to make a big change at Manchester United this summer.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group finally took over football operations from the Glazers last week, bringing a 13-month saga to an end.
Ineos confirmed the purchase of 27.7 per cent of the club’s Class A shares and are now part owners alongside the Glazers.
But they will be making the big decisions that make a difference from now on and have already made a start at changing things.
Omar Berrada has been convinced to leave Manchester City to move to Old Trafford as the new CEO and Dan Ashworth is being pursued from Newcastle United to be sporting director.
Jason McAteer believes another key position will be changed in the summer, too.
Jason McAteer on a big change Sir Jim Ratcliffe could make
Former Liverpool player McAteer is certain Erik ten Hag will be sacked by the club and won’t be in charge next season.
Speaking on beIN Sports, he said: “We were talking after they’d gone four unbeaten in the Premier League as if it was the start of something.
“It was Manchester United on their way back, they were over all the troubles.
“Now all of a sudden they lose to Fulham and they’re right back to square one.
“I’m not convinced he’s going to be there at the end of the season. I think he’s lost the dressing room.
“I just think with the new owners coming in, with Jim Ratcliffe, he will be looking elsewhere for a different manager.
“A change of direction, a different voice, he’s not convincing me in his press conferences and I don’t think he’s convincing the players either when they go out.”
Should Manchester United sack Erik ten Hag
It’s a delicate balance and a big question United need to answer, as soon as possible. Should they sack Ten Hag?
There are good arguments for both sides. On one hand, the team has regressed massively this season and, in fact, hasn’t really been good since the Carabao Cup win.
Even more worrying than the string of poor results is that there has been no tactical development to stop them from happening.
The same problems that plagued United on the very first game of the season – being overrun in midfield and not controlling games – are still happening now.
It would make sense for the new regime to want a new start and have a fresh face in charge.
However, Ten Hag has been hamstrung by a ridiculous injury list this season and Arsenal have shown with Mikel Arteta that patience with a coach after a disappointing season can lead to results.
There is also the problem of there not being any obvious candidates available, especially when Bayern Munich and Liverpool are looking for a new manager as well.
It’s a difficult decision but United will soon have to decide.
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