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1 month ago
13 Sir Jim Ratcliffe kept faith with Erik ten Hag over the summer.
After such a poor start to the 2024/25 season, pundits are asking whether INEOS will continue to back the Dutchman.
They’re entitled to ask the questions and we would be lying if we said fans weren’t asking them too.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has aimed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe for getting his “first big decision” wrong at Old Trafford by retaining Ten Hag and giving the manager a new deal.
United have seven points from six Premier League games and we are sat 13th in the Premier League table, while the Reds have drawn their first two Europa League group matches against FC Twente and FC Porto.
After finishing eighth in the league and winning the FA Cup last season, Ratcliffe and the football hierarchy decided to keep their faith with Ten Hag. The manager was also backed in the transfer market with £200m spent on new signings.
However, Carragher believes Ratcliffe takes responsibility for United’s shortcomings this season.
“If Manchester United fail to massively improve this season, the ultimate responsibility lies with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos,” Carragher wrote for The Telegraph. “The latest mess is on their watch, with United already struggling to convince they are equipped to qualify for next year’s Champions League.
“There is no point sugar-coating it. The new United hierarchy have made a deeply unimpressive start to their Old Trafford reign with one of their worst decisions being the most important any board can make. Above all, you must ensure you have the right manager. Retaining Ten Hag is proving the catalyst for another wasted campaign and possibly another £200 million down the drain.”
Every man and his dog knows United spoke to managerial candidates in the summer before deciding to stick with Ten Hag. Only time will tell if they’ve changed their mind, with the focus currently on United’s trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
It’s a must win game for Ten Hag, who suffered another disappointing result on Thursday night, drawing 3-3 with Porto. United are now winless in their last four matches.
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