SIR JIM RATCLIFFE gave no update on Erik ten Hag’s future following SEVEN HOURS of talks with Manchester United bosses in London on Tuesday.
The Red Devils’ co-owner met with several key club chiefs in the capital following a dismal start to the season.
He was seen arriving for the meeting at around 9:30am, while Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth were also spotted heading into the building.
Man Utd have their worst ever return from the opening seven Premier League games, picking up just eight points and languishing in 14th place.
Without a win in five matches in all competitions, Ten Hag heads into the international break with his future uncertain.
However, Ratcliffe offered no insight into the manager’s position after the meeting.
The Ineos chief, 71, left the venue via a rear exit at 4:45pm.
He then whizzed off in a car with blacked out windows, refusing to stop and answer questions.
This leaves fans no closer to learning whether Ten Hag will still be in charge come their next game against Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19.
If he is dismissed, he is set for a huge pay-off having penned a one-year extension in the summer.
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He will be entitled to a £17.5million pay-off, one of the biggest in Man Utd’s history.
Ten Hag’s assistant and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is favourite to become the next Man Utd boss on an interim basis.
Former England boss Gareth Southgate, ex-Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and former Liverpool target Ruben Amorim are among the other contenders.
Man Utd considered replacing Ten Hag in the summer after the club finished eighth – their lowest-ever position in Premier League history.
But a shock 2-1 FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester City, adding to his 2023 Carabao Cup, temporarily saved Ten Hag from the axe.
Club officials held talks with Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank over replacing the 54-year-old while he travelled to the FA Cup final.
Club chiefs also looked for alternatives during an end-of-season review in the summer, with Tuchel allegedly interviewed.
But ultimately, United performed a dramatic U-turn in June as Brailsford flew to Ibiza to hold a four-hour meeting at Ten Hag’s home.
Now, though, after a nightmare start to the season, the Dutchman’s time could finally be up.
And Tuchel has again been mooted as his replacement as the out of work coach seeks a route back into football.
MANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.
United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.
ANDRE ONANA – 7
Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.
JONNY EVANS – 9
Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7
Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.
Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here!
Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 6
Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.
SUBS
MATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.
VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.
ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.
CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.
