Sir Jim Ratcliffe told to make only one consideration surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has explained that Sir Jim Ratcliffe must only make one consideration when assessing Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is very much up in the air, after mixed performances and poor results have left the club far below expectations.

After crashing out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup, United are now only vying in the FA Cup for trophies, where they face Liverpool in the quarter-finals next weekend.

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With INEOS yet to decide if they will continue with Ten Hag beyond this season, former United striker Andy Cole has explained that the only consideration they need to make is if the decision puts United “where they should be”.

“When Sir Jim Ratcliffe paid £1.3 billion for his 27.7% stake, he would have known what he planned to do at the club,” he told BetFred. “Gary Neville claimed the other day that Ratcliffe would have no doubts about who he wants to be the manager of Manchester United.

“He’s got his thoughts and decisions in mind and if his plans are to keep Ten Hag, then that’s that but if he doesn’t, then he won’t.  Whatever he decides to do is completely down to him.

“A manager, like a midfielder or a striker, will only be judged on their performances. If Manchester United had started this season on absolute fire, were in the top three, playing expansive football and winning games, then the manager wouldn’t be spoken about because he’s doing his job.

However, Manchester United’s form has been very indifferent and they’re struggling to get into a Champions League spot and are not playing a particularly good brand of football. When that happens, you’re going to ask questions about the manager. That’s football.

“Whoever makes these decisions will make them on the basis of getting Manchester United to the place that they should be at.”