Gary Neville issues Erik ten Hag sack verdict as Manchester United legend spotted with Ratcliffe

Gary Neville has issued his verdict on Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United as he is spotted alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford.

Following a run of disappointing results, Manchester United held an in-form Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, with both sides picking up a Premier League point.

With Erik ten Hag under increasing scrutiny and Sir Jim Ratcliffe present in the stands, United opted for a disciplined, defensive approach to avoid conceding.

Read More: Erik ten Hag provides Harry Maguire injury update as Manchester United draw vs Aston Villa

Jonny Evans and Diogo Dalot were standout performers, helping to keep Villa’s energetic front line at bay, with Evans deservedly named Player of the Match.

As the international break approaches, Ten Hag faces growing uncertainty: will Ratcliffe and his INEOS team decide to make a managerial change next week?

Speaking after the game, former United captain Gary Neville issued his verdict on Ten Hag’s current position, explaining that he believes the Dutchman has bought himself more time with the draw against Villa.

“It’s a small step forward,” Neville told Sky Sports. “Before the game, if you offered any Man Utd fan, player or coach a draw, then they would have snapped your hand off.

“That’s where, at the end of the game, when you see Erik ten Hag’s interview, there’s an element of relief because it keeps the wolves at bay for a couple of weeks at least. It gives them a little bit more time.

“I don’t think anybody who thought a major incident would happen after the game thought it would happen with a draw. They always thought it would need to be a difficult day or difficult defeat like it was last week against Tottenham. I think it buys Ten Hag a little bit of time.

“It’s Manchester United’s worst start in Premier League history so we can’t celebrate. When we’re thinking it’s a decent point when you draw at Villa, it tells you how far Villa have come – but it also tells you how low the bar is for United in this moment in time.”

Neville has since been spotted at Old Trafford, arriving at the stadium alongside the club’s co-owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer.

It has been reported by the Daily Mail that while Glazer was at the stadium to take part in Man United Fans’ Advisory Board meeting, Neville was there as part of the ongoing creation of a blueprint for a new Old Trafford.

He and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, continue seeking backing to remove a freight rail terminal and free up space for development. 

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