There is every likelihood that Erik ten Hag may not be in charge of Manchester United come next season. Players at the Old Trafford club are increasingly doubtful that the embattled manager will be in charge next season.
Though ten Hag still has the support of the dressing-room despite some complaints over the intensity of his training regime.
However, many in the United squad believe it is likely new co-owners Ineos will make a change at the end of the season and sack the Dutchman after two years at the helm.
Although Ten Hag insists he is on the same page as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford, and feels aligned with them on the back of positive conversations, he has confided to coaching staff and agents that he has no guarantees over his future at Old Trafford.
Having appointed Omar Berrada as United’s new chief executive and moved closer to bringing in Dan Ashworth as director of football, Ineos have always planned to address Ten Hag’s situation at the end of the season.
It’s not impossible the 54-year-old could earn a stay of execution if he wins the FA Cup and qualifies for the Champions League – even by finishing fifth.
But a second Premier League defeat in a week in Sunday’s Manchester derby has left United trailing Aston Villa and Tottenham in the race for Champions League places, while Ten Hag’s side have been drawn against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA cup.
Injuries have severely impacted the manager’s second season at the club, and it emerged on Monday that there have been 47 separate cases of players missing games through injury or illness.
In the last two games alone, Bruno Fernandes, Raphael Varane, Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans have played half-fit, which in itself suggests a loyalty to Ten Hag.
However, there was surprise that Luke Shaw was risked against Luton last month, just a week after limping off at Aston Villa, resulting in a potentially season-ending injury.
