‘I get the feeling…’: Guardian journo shares his verdict on how he thinks today’s INEOS meeting will go

Manchester United fans are anticipating some substantial updates regarding the future of Erik ten Hag today, with INEOS chiefs scheduled to meet in London to discuss the pressing situation.

We can but speculate over the factors Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his hierarchy will contemplate in regard to Ten Hag’s tenure; he certainly earned some credit in the bank with last season’s FA Cup triumph but has just overseen the club’s worst start to a Premier League campaign on record, claiming only eight points from the opening seven matches.

INEOS did hold talks with potential managerial successors over the summer, including the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank and Thomas Tuchel. Negotiations with the latter broke down due to disagreements over the power he’d hold as well as the financial package he’d receive, though he is thought to be first in line if Ten Hag is relieved of his duties in the near future – albeit with assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy presumably stepping in on a temporary basis. 

Read more: Sky Sports pundit has noticed there’s one ‘frustrated’ Utd player ‘always waiting to get taken off’

Reputable journo reckons Ten Hag has lost Ratcliffe’s backing

The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson has weighed in on the situation this morning, telling the United View: “I get the feeling that he (Ratcliffe) wants him (Ten Hag) to go. And if so, are they (his staff) really going to turn around, stick their necks out – this is [Omar] Berrada and [Dan] Ashworth primarily – and say, ‘You know what, Sir Jim, we respect your view but we actually think x,y,z.’

“Listen, maybe that’s why he’s employed them because they are strong enough to stand up at this moment. But I can see it both ways.”

It’s worth noting that this is Jackson’s opinion on the matter and not any insight into today’s talks.