Manchester United have only won three games out of nine so far this season with pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag to spark a turnaround in form.
It was a surprise when INEOS decided to stick with the Dutchman despite the team finishing eighth in the Premier League last season.
The coaching staff were revamped and the new co-owners backed the manager with five key signings but familiar issues still persist.
There have been rumours of a potential sack should the slump in form continue with new assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy one of the favourites to take over.
Coaching staff issues
Ten Hag did not see eye-to-eye with his coaching staff due to their protestations regarding his chaos ball style last season. It was relayed by The Peoples Person that a switch to a more pragmatic approach was what led to the FA Cup final win.
Now, Football Insider have claimed that Steve McClaren, who left his role as assistant manager for the Jamaica head coach role, did not have the best of equations with the former Ajax coach.
McClaren’s sudden departure was a shocker and it seems a falling-out with Ten Hag was one of the reasons for the change in the dugout.
This information comes courtesy Mick Brown, who worked at United for over a decade as chief scout and was also Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager for a spell. He also revealed that Nistelrooy could be facing similar problems at the moment.
“He worked under Steve McClaren in Holland, then they came here and McClaren worked under him. So Steve’s now gone, he disappeared very quickly and that all went quiet.
“Fortunately for him, he’s got another job with Jamaica. But it all went quiet and there have been suggestions, from what I’m told by people who know, there was a major difference between the two of them behind-the-scenes.
EtH-McClaren tiff
“Ruud van Nistelrooy has come in now. I was instrumental in signing Ruud and I know him, he’s a top class person, but he can only do what the manager instructs him to do.”
Ten Hag’s obstinate character trait was seen by all the fans when he refused to tinker with his tactics despite the obvious flaws which allowed opposition players to cut open the midfield with ease.
And similar transition problems have been seen this time as well while the team has also struggled upfront. The Red Devils have a game against Porto in the Europa League next followed by a huge league encounter against Aston Villa.
If both games do not go the club’s way, INEOS could be forced to take a huge decision during the international break or the season could well be over before the new year.
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