02/10/2024

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WEDNESDAY | OCT 2, 2024

Malaysian Paper

Dead man walking? Ineos have reportedly decided on Ten Hag’s Man Utd future ahead of Porto, Villa clash

E RIK TEN HAG will remain in charge of Manchester United for this week’s away double-header against FC Porto and Aston Villa, according to reports. The Dutchman is under record-high pressure after Sunday’s abysmal evening against Tottenham at Old Trafford but, for now, retains INEOS’ backing. United’s second successive 3-0 defeat at home in the Premier League – following Liverpool’s rout of Ten Hag’s team on Sept 1 – intensified the scrutiny on Ten Hag to new levels. It came days after an uninspiring 1-1 Europa League draw with FC Twente, also at Old Trafford, and their league loss left the Red Devils 12th, closer to rock bottom than the summit. Ten Hag faces a pair of daunting away tests before the October international break, which could prove decisive for his future. Porto represents United’s toughest fixture on paper in the League Phase of the Europa League, while visits to Villa Park are seldom comfortable. Two more below-par results would leave Ten

skipper Rio Ferdinand is the latest figure to question Ten Hag, insisting that the team is lacking any personality. “I can’t see an Erik ten Hag way of playing,” Ferdinand said on his Five podcast. “Nothing is by design at Manchester United right now, with or without the ball. “I look at Man United with the ball now and for a long time it is – if Bruno’s (Fernandez) going to create a moment, that’s it, we’re going to get goals or get chances. “(Marcas) Rashford’s gonna do something or (Alejandro) Garnacho, individual moments is all Man United have lived and breathed on for the last year or two. And I just think to myself that can’t last forever. “When I look at us without the ball as well, I don’t see no designing to say: ‘This is the way we’re going to defend a certain situation.’ “I did see it earlier in the season, in glimpses, but like I said you can’t have glimpses at this level.” – Express Newspapers

“Also, we made the decision from a clear review (of) what we have to improve as an organisation and how we want to construct a squad. “But we knew it will take some time because of how the (summer transfer) window went, some players late in like (Manuel) Ugarte. “Also, we have to make some improvement in organisation. We still have some injuries; we need some time. “We are all on one page or in one boat together – the ownership, the leadership group, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that concern.” Despite his maintained backing, Ten Hag will understand that a damaging descent into further crisis by this time next week could leave INEOS with little choice. Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi is the newest name linked with what could soon be a vacant position, while Graham Potter refused to rule out the prospect of replacing Ten Hag while on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football . Scrutiny has reached new levels and former

Hag’s side with just six wins in 21 Premier League games and one in their last 10 European outings. But, according to the Telegraph , United currently remain focused on supporting the 54 year-old in his attempts to overturn the club’s recent fortunes. Ten Hag is expected to be in the dugout for Friday’s (3am Malaysian time) trip to the Estadio do Dragao and in the West Midlands on Sunday. The report adds that United’s slow start to the season after splashing a further £200 million (RM1.2 billion) on new signings in the summer has caused dismay within the walls of Old Trafford. However, there are said to be no immediate plans to sack Ten Hag, who insisted after the Spurs humiliation that he was on the same page as his bosses. He said: “No, I am not thinking about this (getting sacked). We all made this decision to stay together, as an ownership, as a leadership group in the summer.

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