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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has emphasized that the club owners should have already informed him by now if they were keen on sacking him.
Ten Hag also revealed that he expects to hold talks with INEOS very soon, where presumably, his future at United will be discussed.
The Dutchman spoke to the media after his side’s drab away draw against Aston Villa on Sunday. United lacked any imagination and threat as they only managed to secure a point against Unai Emery’s men, who were equally poor.
The result means that the Red Devils have won just two of their opening seven Premier League games this season. At the moment, United currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League table with just eight points.
Heading into the match at Villa Park, Ten Hag was under massive pressure to mastermind a victory. It had been speculated that the 54-year-old could be relieved of his duties if United found themselves on the end of another poor turn of events.
Ten Hag spoke to Sky Sports and explained that he retains the backing of the hierarchy.
Speaking during his presser, the United boss stressed this point, as he insisted that the owners should have told him by now if they were intent on firing him.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox and Sir Dave Brailsford were all in attendance at Villa Park to watch the stalemate.
Ten Hag told reporters when quizzed about his position, “So I don’t have any idea that is different because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.”
“I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.”
“We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them [owners].”
Ten Hag gave his verdict on United’s performance vs. Villa. He especially emphasized the positivity of the clean sheet.
“This is our fourth clean sheet in this season and that tells something about the control we have in and out of possession. We are organized very well. In many games so far we created loads of chances. Today we didn’t create that much but we had the chances, with (Marcus) Rashford before and after half-time, we had a free-kick from Bruno (Fernandes) on the crossbar.”
“And also we have to see that, in the end, when you defend like we did today, very solid, you also have some luck in the end when they create probably the best chance of the game with that deflected shot with the block from Diogo [Dalot].
It’s believed that United chiefs are set for a high-stakes meeting in London on Tuesday. It’s likely that clarity on Ten Hag’s future will be provided after this.
Ratcliffe recently refused to back Ten Hag, as he insisted that the final call on whether or not he stays will be made by the new-look football leadership group consisting of the likes of Berrada, Ashworth and Wilcox.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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