Erik ten Haag’s future in Manchester United it is expected to be decided in the next two weeks, with the Dutchman’s chances of keeping his job thought to be 50-50.
United’s plan is to decide the manager’s fate after the FA Cup final on May 25 when they face Manchester City at Wembley. The Guardian understands that his hope of staying in office is well balanced.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority owner who now controls United’s football policy, his key aide Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean Claude-Blanc, acting chief executive, and technical director Jason Wilcox lead Ten Haag’s assessment.
If the Ten Hag can lead United to victory over City and lift the trophy for a second consecutive season, it would no doubt help his case, especially as it will come at the end of a troubled campaign plagued by a succession of injuries and off-field problems.
The Ten Hag has a year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford and if it is decided to replace him in the summer, the list of candidates who could replace him includes Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel, who is set to leave the German club at the end of the season Graham Potter, who is out of work, and England manager Gareth Southgate.
The Hague is under scrutiny for a campaign that has seen United sit eighth on 54 points ahead of hosting Newcastle on Wednesday. They face Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final round of Premier League fixtures on Sunday.
United may need to win the FA Cup to qualify for Europe next season, with The Hague hosting after The 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday that no European football next season would be “very damaging”.
