Manchester United will shoot themselves in the foot if Erik ten Hag stays as sack talk continues to swirl
Manchester United will be making a big mistake if they decide to keep Erik ten Hag
PA
As things stand, Erik ten Hag's job at Manchester United remains on the line.
The Red Devils hierarchy held a six-hour meeting in London yesterday, with the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada all present.
The meeting was planned in advance. That's something United have been keen to stress.
But Ten Hag, without a doubt, came up in conversation. How could he not, given his side have won just two of their seven Premier League matches, failed to score in their last five and look as far away from the top as ever?
Manchester United will be making a big mistake if they decide to keep Erik ten Hag
PA
Ten Hag is confident he will survive the axe. The Dutchman, who was retained back in the summer after guiding United to FA Cup glory, has jetted off on his holiday believing his position is safe.
Yet keeping hold of the 54-year-old would be a disaster. United chiefs may not like admitting it but their decision to stick, rather than twist, has cost them dear.
First things first, Ten Hag deserves credit for guiding United to two trophies during his time in the dugout.
This is a club that needs to win silverware. He has done that, even if the Carabao Cup and FA Cup aren't the grandest trophies in the land.
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However, United are a mess. They are poor in virtually every department, with Andre Onana their one saving grace for the campaign so far.
There is still no clear style or plan. If anything, it looks as though players simply don't know what their manager wants them to do.
It is debatable that Ten Hag hasn't improved any of his senior players either.
Marcus Rashford, for a while, appeared to have turned a corner 18 months ago but consistency, not for the first time, has been lacking.
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Bruno Fernandes is a shadow of the player that once electrified the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And Casemiro, a signing endorsed by Ten Hag two years ago, is a player on the wane as well.
This is the right time to act. There has been nothing across United's seven league matches to suggest they're ready to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Delaying the inevitable would be a bad look for INEOS. After years of the Glazers calling the shots, they'd effectively be choking when it comes to their first big challenge.
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Manchester United chiefs can't afford to choke as Erik ten Hag clings to his job at Old Trafford
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Thomas Tuchel is available. He is a serial winner and one of the best manager's in the world.
Admittedly, his time at Bayern Munich didn't go to plan. The 51-year-old is combative, too, a quality that makes him a risky appointment.
But surely a man who has won silverware galore over the course of his career is worth the hassle? United need a proven manager to fix this mess.
Certainly, they don't get much more proven than Tuchel.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is out of his depth with Thomas Tuchel waiting in the wings to take over
PA
If United keep with Ten Hag then lose to Brentford after the international break, INEOS will cop the flak.
Rightfully so. His time is up and keeping calm and carrying on, while the fallen giants continue to spiral towards the drop zone, could be one of the club's worst decisions of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.