Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly not been given any guarantees over his future, with the owners “desperate” to see improvement on the pitch.
Ten Hag narrowly kept his job in the summer after leading United to a disappointing eighth place last season, the club’s lowest-ever finish since 1989/90.
Despite holding exploratory talks with his potential replacements, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS ended up keeping faith with the Dutchman after a lengthy end-of-season review.
Ten Hag was heavily backed in the summer, with the club bringing in five top-class signings in key positions that urgently needed strengthening.
However, United got off to a shaky start, losing two of their three Premier League fixtures just before the international break. This saw Ten Hag come under more pressure and scrutiny, with some questioning whether the new leadership group made the right decision in keeping him.
However, the 54-year-old led his side to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Southampton during the weekend, in what was undoubtedly United’s most complete performance of the season so far.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Ten Hag has been told that he must continue demonstrating clear improvement and a sustained style of play in order to completely cement his status as United boss.
The news outlet reveals, “Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been given no guarantees over his future and will come under more sustained pressure in his bid to remain in the Old Trafford dugout if he is unable to show that his side is evolving over the course of the next month, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.”
“Ten Hag is approaching a key moment in his Manchester United tenure as the hierarchy are desperate to see how he is taking his side to the next level, according to GMS sources, and he has been given no assurances that he will keep his job until the end of the season despite the club briefing that his job is not under threat earlier this month.”
“Although Ten Hag led Manchester United to an important three points at Southampton last weekend, GMS sources have been informed that he needs to continue showing that there is a clear plan when it comes to building an identity and style of play in order to truly win over key figures behind the scenes.”
“Manchester United made the trip to Southampton with patience wearing thin and the hierarchy seriously considering axing ten Hag in the coming weeks.”
GMS note that Ten Hag’s annual wages dropped to around £7million as a result of United’s failure to clinch Champions League football.
It’s understood that the upcoming fixtures are being viewed as an “ideal opportunity” to build confidence and register some positive results.
United’s next assignment is an EFL third-round clash against Barnsley on Tuesday.
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