Erik ten Hag is at the same position he looked to have evaded after the FA Cup final last season- fighting for his job with every game a judgement on his future.
Things have soured remarkably quickly at Manchester United as it was just a week or two ago that the fans were encouraged by the performance vs Crystal Palace.
It was preceded the 7-0 and 3-0 wins vs Barnsley and Southampton respectively, with the team looking to be on the upward trend.
One loss to Tottenham later, and Ten Hag’s job is in danger and his own comments are not helping his case either.
Erik ten Hag sack rumours intensify
Ten Hag has not shied away from propping up his own accomplishment, or the two trophies he’s won at Old Trafford as markers of success.
However, that has only served to infuriate the fans even more as they get served up by one bad performance after another while Ten Hag sends the message that is all according to the the long-term plan.
The players are reportedly still behind the manager, one of the big reasons why he has probably held onto the job for this long.
However, that won’t count for anything if the results don’t improve soon and with a daunting fixture list coming up, the pressure won’t ease further.
The away game at FC Porto is followed by the away game at Aston Villa, on a tremendous high from winning at home vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
So, not only will United have a day less of rest vs the Villans, they will also be coming up against a team in the form of their life.
If that wasn’t tricky enough for Ten Hag already, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made his decision on the Aston Villa game now which truly cranks up the pressure on the Dutchman.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe to attend the Aston Villa game
This season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has attended only one Man United game, the home defeat at Liverpool where the picture of him having his head in his hands went viral.
The Athletic reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be attending United’s game at Aston Villa as the second game he has attended all season.
He is yet to attend an away game and on paper, an away trip to Aston Villa is hardly a marquee occasion that warrants extra attention.
Unless, of course, the intention is to put on a front and increase the coverage around the game as the one which could have massive ramifications for the club’s future.
United haven’t generally enjoyed their travels to Villa Park which has only strengthened further since Unai Emery arrived.
Emery, ironically, has been in the job for less time than Ten Hag has been in his at United and yet, the difference in results has been stark to see.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will undoubtedly be aware of that contrast and if recent indications of his stance on Ten Hag’s future have any truth to them, he might be arriving at Villa Park with the proverbial axe that day.
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