Melissa Reddy provides insight ahead of Manchester United’s crucial meeting

Erik ten Hag may sound confident that he has the backing of the Manchester United board, but that won’t stop the media from speculation over his future.

Some reporters do their jobs properly, such as Melissa Reddy at Sky Sports.

In her latest update, we gather an insight into what will be discussed during Tuesday’s routine monthly executive committee meeting in London.

Everything around football operations will be on the agenda. That includes United being sat 14th in the Premier League and drawing their first two matches in the Europa League.

Reddy points to Ten Hag’s quotes from the weekend when he spoke about the trust that exists between him and INEOS, as they share open lines of communication to ensure their relationship is a success.

This, at least, tells us that Ten Hag is on the same page as United’s hierarchy. It doesn’t mean his job is safe but they don’t want to sack him during the season.

Manchester United plan measured approach with Erik ten Hag

She adds that all indications are that the powers that be want to be very measured over their next steps when it comes to the managerial situation. There won’t be any knee-jerk decisions.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Reddy revealed that her understanding of the situation is INEOS wanted to give Ten Hag the full season to turn things around: “I think it’s a little bit natural and automatic for people to assume this is some sort of emergency summit to discuss the manager’s position. However, this has been a long-scheduled meeting as part of an INEOS drive to have monthly reviews over football operations in person. It has very much been their commitment to be more visible, to be more communicative, to hold more accountability over the things happening around the club.

“Now, I understand that the timing has more to do with the availability of the attendees because this is an international break, rather than a reaction to United’s form. So these attendees – who are they? Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, the CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, all of whom were present at Villa Park for that goalless draw on Sunday, as well as co-chairman Joel Glazer, who is flying in for it. It’s also likely to include chief operating officer Colette Roche and the chief financial officer Roger Bell.

“Everything around football operations will be on the agenda, so it will be remiss of us to think United being 14th in the league and winless across five games in all competitions won’t be a talking point. But all indications are that the powers that be want to be very measured over next steps. They’re not pushing any panic buttons. It is my understanding that they wanted to give Erik ten Hag at least a full season under this new setup. That was the thinking in the summer when they kept him onboard after that strategic review. However, ultimately, it will be results and performances that dictate whether that will remain the case.”

“They have wanted to give Erik ten Hag at LEAST a full season.”

Melissa Reddy updates us outside of Old Trafford after speculation on Manchester United’s future 🎤🔴 pic.twitter.com/TIYnzquVZc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 7, 2024

Only time will tell if INEOS are willing to remain patient with Ten Hag.