Erik ten Hag makes Man United U-Turn that could affect Old Trafford future

Erik ten Hag has appeared to make a U-Turn that could directly affect his Manchester United future under new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

The United manager saw his team lose their 17th game of the season. They bottled a 3-2 lead at Stamford Bridge to lose the game 4-3 after two late Cole Palmer goals.

It was another example of The Reds gifting their opponents countless chances and shots on goal—something that has become a theme this season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe was present for the game in the stands alongside his right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford. The pair wouldn’t have been happy with how the game played out.

Ten Hag’s future is unknown with the new ownership conducting a review of everything at the club. One of the biggest sticking points seemed to be the amount of control that the Dutchman will be offered under INEOS.

After having a large amount of control since joining the club, Ten Hag would need to accept a lower amount of authority and be reduced to a head coach role, something that he has been reported to be unhappy about.

However, the latest details provided by The Athletic correspondent Laurie Whitwell has explained that, at least now, Ten Hag does not have this approach. Instead, the manager is willing to relinquish control if there is a good environment placed by INEOS.

Speaking on the latest Talk of the Devils podcast, following the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, Whitwell suggested that the idea that Ten Hag wants to be this all ‘powerful’ manager is not the case, and he understands there is a new way of working under INEOS, and is willing to accept a head coach role.

It was added that the influence that he had previously was because he felt the environment wasn’t right, and he needed to put himself more so. With people he feels confident in, he will accept a head coach role.

Whitwell concluded that INEOS would like to stick with Ten Hag, and he would also like to stay at the club. There has been a good sense of collaboration and discussions between Ten Hag, Sir Dave Brailsford and Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently.