Manager may undergo Manchester United audition following dinner with Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Over the next month, every Manchester United result will feel like a twist, turn, and narrative-builder on Erik ten Hag’s future.

Erik ten Hag‘s position as Manchester United manager is under increasing scrutiny following a series of poor results in the Premier League and Europa League.

United fans are all too familiar with this position, having experienced the same levels of doubt ahead of the 2024 FA Cup final.

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However, with so many feeling that the Wembley fixture would be Ten Hag’s last and end in a brutal thrashing, the Dutchman’s players pulled off an inedible 2-1 win thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and kobbie Mainoo and a stunning display from captain Bruno Fernandes.

Then, after weeks of deliberation and a “season review” undertaken by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his new United power brokers, Ten Hag was controversially rewarded with a one-year extension and complete backing in the summer transfer market.

However, fast-forward four months, and fans are again in the same position. Ten Hag is being ridiculed for a string of poor performances and results, with the club 14th in the league table and scrambling to rejoin the top eight of the new-look Europa League format.

An audition for Thomas Frank

The club’s next fixture, a home tie against Brentford on Saturday afternoon, feels like a potential audition for the Bees’ manager, Thomas Frank.

Frank was often linked to the United job during the “season review” and was thought to be on the list of potential replacements for Ten Hag should the Dutchman see himself relieved of duties.

The Athletic has reported that Frank even had dinner with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe towards the end of last season, with former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard and ex-Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson also in attendance.

While Ratcliffe will not be personally present at Old Trafford, United’s other leadership team members, such as Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox, and Omar Berrada, will be, and there is no doubt that they will be keeping a close eye on Frank and his side on Saturday afternoon.

Should Frank outmanoeuvre Ten Hag on his stomping ground, this will undoubtedly raise some eyebrows within the crowd and possibly the eyebrows of some important people.

Frank is a thorn

Ten Hag will not be pleased with his record against Thomas Frank since the Dutch boss joined Manchester United as manager.

Brentford’s famous 4-0 win over United in August 2022 was just Ten Hag’s second game in charge of the club. Last season, they were unlucky not to secure three points at Old Trafford.

Brentford led the tie for 90 minutes before a dazzling display of areal dominance from then-United midfielder Scott McTominay saw the Scottish international rise high to score two goals in extra time.

Admittedly, Ten Hag’s other win over Frank was dominant despite the scoreline. A 1-0 win at Old Trafford in April 2023, thanks to a 27th-minute strike from Marcus Rashford, was backed up by 65% possession, 18 shots, and an 86% past accuracy—although it must be noted that only three of these 18 shots were on target.

The other fixture came most recently and was just as dramatic as the McTominay fiasco fixture. At the Brentford Community Stadium, substitute Mason Mount scored his first goal for the club and the game’s opening finish in the 90+6th minute.

However, the away side still failed to secure the win, with Kristoffer Ajer equalising just minutes later after United’s defensive collapse.

The Danish manager’s contract has a £3 million release clause, which Ratcliffe and his leadership team will be well aware of. Should Frank impress those at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon… Who knows what may happen next?

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