Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes Erik ten Hag request to Man Utd chiefs after sack view 'varies'

Manchester United’s hierarchy was divided when Erik ten Hag’s future was up for discussion at a showdown meeting at INEOS’ London headquarters on Tuesday, according to reports. But Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to have sent a specific request to the club’s football leadership team that suggests the Dutchman is on borrowed time.

United’s decision brokers convened in the capital earlier this week to discuss a range of club matters, little more important than the state of play under Ten Hag.

The Red Devils have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign after seven matches following a record-low eighth-place finish last term.

Supporters are losing patience with Ten Hag as the external scrutiny of his position intensifies. It’s a stark contrast to the silence coming from the club.

According to the Independent, one of the primary topics from Tuesday’s executive summit was a contingency plan should the Dutchman be handed his marching orders in the near future.

It’s claimed that there were considerable differences in stances. On one side, there was sympathy for Ten Hag, given he is at the centre of a sack media storm for the second time in a few months.

However, one senior figure is said to have stated that United’s woeful start to the season could’ve been forecast in the summer when they decided to retain faith in Ten Hag.

Another argument was allegedly strongly in favour of an immediate change, with United 14th in the Premier League and already at serious risk of a Champions League exclusion for a second year running.

But that was countered by a reminder of how soon it is after INEOS sanctioned the 54-year-old’s contract extension and handed him another £200million in the summer transfer window.

Ratcliffe owns 28 per cent of the club but has appointed a new football structure – chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox – to oversee such matters.

The report adds that he requested the trio to produce forensic cases for all potential scenarios in the current situation, whether that’s Ten Hag remaining or a dismissal.

Ratcliffe is said to have done so in line with INEOS’ “evidence-based process” approach, which is in place to ensure there can be no doubt about club decisions.

Discussions – which also involved co-chairman Joel Glazer – reportedly became as detailed as touching on how the current squad is more suited to four-at-the-back systems rather than three.

The latter is Thomas Tuchel’s preferred style. However, the German is believed to be the most likely replacement should Ten Hag leave.

That said, Tuchel’s representatives reportedly haven’t been contacted since he met with Ratcliffe in Monaco to discuss the position during United’s summer review.

And part of the club chiefs’ talks involved whether they want a short-term fix or a long-term option who can grow with the project at Old Trafford.