The game model of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is being scrutinised by the club’s football department, which is overseen by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and led by both sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, according to the Guardian.
The game model of the Dutchman has to start impressing the football department of the Red Devils or he is ‘in danger of being removed’.
The style of play of Man United under Ten Hag so far this season has been viewed as underwhelming by Ratcliffe and co, with their vulnerability in the middle of the park and defence exposing them in their opening three games of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
While the decision-makers at Man United are aware that injuries have undermined their start to the new season, with the summer signings also needing time before they can be fully integrated into the team, they have serious concern regarding how Ten Hag sets up the team on the pitch.
Wilcox, whose a major part of his role is to monitor how the first team play, provided a tactical suggestion for the FA Cup final season, with the decision of Ten Hag to accept the advice said to be key in helping him retain his job.
The former Manchester City academy director suggested that Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes be deployed as a false 9 for the game, and it paid off, with the Red Devils captain providing the assist for Kobbie Mainoo’s winner against Manchester City.
While Ratcliffe was impressed with Ten Hag’s flexibility and acceptance to take on Wilcox’s tactical suggestion, as the Dutchman proved that he can work within the club’s new football structure as a result, his style of play this term has been far from impressive.
It was reported that Wilcox will set out a style of play blueprint that will be enforced across all levels at Man United, but it appears that is not the case or that Ten Hag has his own ideas.
The former Ajax boss needs to start delivering the needed results, with the two losses in their opening three games already leaving pundits and fans seething.
The Red Devils have nine games within the space of six weeks after the international break this month, and failure to impress could get Ten Hag sacked.
