Exclusive: Manchester United hierarchy meet to discuss Erik Ten Hag future - what we know
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Erik ten Hag’s future continues to dominate the footballing headlines and for good reason.
Manchester United have endured their worst start to a league season this century, whilst they are already someway off the pace of the top-four and prospective Champions League qualification.
As it stands United are six points off Chelsea in fourth, but almost more importantly there are ten-teams between them and the top-four.
- READ MORE – Paul Scholes baffled why Erik ten Hag isn't playing Manchester United star after Aston Villa draw
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 11 | BrentfordBrentford | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 10 |
| 12 | West HamWest Ham | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 8 |
| 13 | B’mouthBournemouth | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 8 |
| 14 | Man UtdManchester United | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 8 |
| 15 | LeicesterLeicester | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 6 |
| 16 | EvertonEverton | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 5 |
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer part of top brass summit in London
Ten Hag’s future will be discussed on Tuesday as United’s top-brass meet in London for a scheduled meeting, whilst their executive committee will also hold a meeting in Manchester later in the week.
As well as Ratcliffe, in attendance will be his right-hand man from Ineos Sir Dave Brailsford, who now serves on the Manchester United board. Sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada will also be in attendance. It is also expected that co-chairman Joel Glazer, who flew in for the Villa game, will be part of the meeting.
TBR Football has confirmed that the final decision on Ten Hag will be left to Ashworth, but the decision will come as part of a process.
United came to the conclusion that Ten Hag warranted an extension to his contract in the summer, following their FA Cup success. That decision came after talks were held with other candidates for the role of United boss – including Thomas Tuchel and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
Tuchel, Frank and Southgate remain of interest to United
TBR Football can confirm that Tuchel and Frank remain of interest to United, along with former England boss Gareth Southgate. United, having done their due diligence in the summer, are well aware of the options available to them.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have told TBR Football that the expectation within the club is that Ten Hag will be given until the next international window in November, but as it stands that decision has not been taken.
We can reveal that one of the main areas of concern for the club’s top brass is the Champions League. Since it was rebranded in 1992 – United have never missed out two-years in succession and that is a genuine fear this term.
We are told that the re-emergence of Chelsea and Newcastle as likely Champions League contenders this season, who join Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur as genuine top-four rivals has only heaped the pressure on Ten Hag as United do not look like being in the top-four conversation at present.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 18 |
| 2 | Man CityManchester City | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| 3 | ArsenalArsenal | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 17 |
| 4 | ChelseaChelsea | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 14 |
| 5 | Aston VillaAston Villa | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 14 |
| 6 | BrightonBrighton | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 12 |
| 7 | NewcastleNewcastle | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 12 |
| 8 | FulhamFulham | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 11 |
| 9 | TottenhamTottenham | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 10 |
Indeed qualification through the Europa League is arguably United’s best chance of Champions League entry, but their tepid start to that campaign is also an issue.
TBR Football revealed last week that United’s hierarchy including Sir Jim Ratcliffe would be at Villa Park on Sunday to see them in action and they were in Birmingham to see United play out a goalless draw.
United once again drew a blank which means they have scored just five league goals so far this term and only Southampton have a worse record.
