Gary Neville has already made Erik ten Hag prediction after Jim Ratcliffe's 'worst decision'
Manchester United avoided defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon but the future of manager Erik ten Hag continues to be debated after a tough start to the season
by Tom Victor · The MirrorGary Neville wouldn't be surprised to see Manchester United take stock of Erik ten Hag's position during the international break, though the Red Devils avoided the kind of performance at Aston Villa which might have forced the hand of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United had conceded three times in each of their two previous outings, but kept Villa at bay in their goalless draw on Sunday. It was a game of few big chances, with Bruno Fernandes coming closest when he hit the bar with a free-kick.
In the lead-up to the game Ratcliffe stopped short of giving the manager his full backing. This was despite Ten Hag earning a contract extension over the summer.
Jamie Carragher slammed that decision to keep faith with the former Ajax boss, calling it one of the worst decisions made by the United hierarchy. However, Neville suggested the owners may well keep faith with the boss in the hope they can some through their sticky spell.
"I think we all know that obviously clubs do reassess during international breaks, and I think what's happened in the last week," Neville told Sky Sports before the Villa game. "Anyone who was in Old Trafford last week [for the defeat against Tottenham], I don't think you even need to be in the stadium to recognise that it felt like a monumental day,
When asked about Ratcliffe's midweek comments, he added: "It didn't surprise me. I think if you went to [Liveprool owners] FSG and John Henry was doing an interview over in America and said who would be sacking the [Liverpool] manager, I think he'd say I'd leave it to my football department on the ground.
"It will be Dan Ashworth, it will be Omar Berrada, supported by Jason Wilcox. They'll make the secision or recommendation [on Ten Hag], and then it will be Joel Glazer, Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford who are on that sporting committee at the top of the club who will validate it."
Will Manchester United sack Erik ten Hag this month? Have your say in the comments section
"But one thing's for certain, when you speak to people around the club, they don't want to make that decision," Neville added. "They want to try and be different and get through this difficult time. It is their first time in this situation, and they've got a lot of evidence over the last 10 years of how to do it and how not to do it, and I suppose at this moment in time they'll want to try and make their own decision based upon what they're thinking."
United's return of eight points from seven games is their lowest at this stage of any Premier League season. The draw at Villa Park means they go into the international break sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table, and Ten Hag was asked by Sky Sports about his conversations with the club's higher-ups.
"We always speak, every week we speak," he said. "We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through it's a long-term process. We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.