Sources: Ten Hag hopeful of stay as bosses meet

Erik ten Hag’s future as Manchester United manager remains in the balance ahead of a scheduled executive meeting this week, although the Dutchman believes he retains the faith of club bosses heading into the international break, sources have told ESPN.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to attend the pre-planned meeting in London on Tuesday alongside other members of the United hierarchy, including right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox. Joel Glazer, part of the majority ownership group, is also set to attend.

A source has told ESPN that performances and results this season have caused alarm.

The 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday condemned United to their worst start to a Premier League season after taking just eight points from their first seven games to sit 14th in the table. Ten Hag’s future is set to be discussed by Ratcliffe and his team on Tuesday.

Other topics on the agenda include a briefing ahead of the January transfer window.

According to sources, Ten Hag spoke to United’s leadership team following the game at Villa Park and was not given an indication that his job is under immediate threat, leading him to believe he is safe for now.

The 54-year-old has now gone on holiday after granting time off to first-team players not involved in internationals over the next two weeks. United are next in action against Brentford at Old Trafford on Oct. 19.

Ahead of the executive committee meeting in London on Tuesday, Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer met at Old Trafford on Monday.

A source has told ESPN that the conversation was “long-standing and for various meetings.”

Glazer was due to attend a quarterly fans advisory board meeting at Old Trafford on Monday. Speaking after the draw with Villa — United’s fifth straight game without a win — Ten Hag said he expected to keep his job.

“We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through, it’s a long-term process,” he said.

“We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have.”

However, Ratcliffe refused to offer Ten Hag a vote of confidence in an interview with the BBC last week, saying only that a decision on the United manager’s future was “not my call.”