“I’m happy Man United has finally agree to appoints him as caretaker coach… He’ll do great and he has proven it”: Sir Alex Ferguson reveals Man United latest update on Erik ten Hag future

HusseinSeptember 29, 2024Last Updated: September 29, 2024

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have publicly acknowledged that the INEOS Manchester United project will not be an overnight success, amidst increasing pressure on Erik ten Hag.

The Dutch manager is finding it difficult to deflect speculation about his future following a less than impressive start to his first full season under the club’s new part-ownership.

After finishing eighth in the Premier League last season, INEOS considered potential replacements but ultimately decided that Ten Hag was still the best fit for the club’s revamped hierarchy.

Despite some improvements in United‘s performances at the start of the new season, the results have not followed suit. Ten Hag’s side have only managed to secure victories in three out of their first seven matches in all competitions – against Fulham, Southampton and Barnsley.

Ten Hag has only managed to guide the team to six wins in the last 20 Premier League games, with prospects for a top-four finish looking grim once again this season.

Wednesday’s Europa League draw with FC Twente also means that United have only one win from their last nine European matches. This has led to some fans reassessing Solskjaer‘s tenure, during which he arguably produced the most exciting football since the Sir Alex Ferguson era according to many.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Norwegian – who has been without a managerial role since being leaving United in 2021 – admitted earlier this week that he would seize the opportunity to return to Old Trafford if given the chance.

“If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week,” Solskjaer disclosed at the Oslo Business Forum.

“It feels wrong to talk about jobs that other people have now, but I would say yes, of course.”

However, INEOS has consistently shown support for Ten Hag, both in private and public statements, acknowledging that a period of transition is necessary. Earlier this year, Ratcliffe informed BBC Sport: “The fans are impatient. I knew that, yeah. But it’s a journey.

“Whether they like it or not, they have to be a bit patient. It’s not a light switch. You can’t just turn it around like that. It takes a bit of time. But we will.”