Revealed: What Man United plan to do about sacking Erik ten Hag if they lose to Liverpool
Erik ten Hag’s position at Man United is safe until Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover of the club is completed, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking to Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, editor Wayne Veysey revealed the “power vacuum” at Old Trafford has boosted his chances of staying in the dugout when typically his job would be on the line.
Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion takeover could take up to eight weeks to be vetted and ratified by the Premier League after the deal is completed.
This means that Ten Hag’s job is safe for now despite the team’s limp midweek Champions League exit and a dismal first half of the campaign.
Even if United were to suffer a heavy defeat on Sunday to Liverpool, where they lost 7-0 last season, the Dutchman is set to stay in charge.
Nevertheless, with the Ineos managing director and billionaire set to take full control of football operations at the club, sweeping changes are expected in the months ahead.
Ratcliffe has remained busy behind the scenes in preparation for his role at Man United and has been eyeing up potential replacements for Ten Hag.
Football Insider revealed last month (3 November) that Ratcliffe has been particularly impressed by Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.
Sources also told Football Insider (5 December) that the Seagulls would not stand in the Italian’s way if he wanted to switch Brighton for Manchester.
Reports also claim that former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who has been without a job since being axed by the Blues in April, is high on Ratcliffe’s shortlist should he sack ten Hag.
Ten Hag has been under pressure this season after poor results in the Premier League against the likes of Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
They also finished rock-bottom of their Champions League group after their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday (12 December) which saw them eliminated from European football altogether.
United currently sit sixth in the Premier League and face a trip to Anfield on Sunday (17 December) to face league leaders Liverpool.
In other news, Sources: Man United listen to offers for six ‘mega-earning’ first-team stars.