Manchester United could wait until closer to the January transfer window to sack head coach Erik ten Hag, claims the club’s former chief scout Mick Brown.
Manchester United could wait until closer to the January transfer window to sack Erik ten Hag, according to the club’s former chief scout Mick Brown.
There is currently huge uncertainty surrounding the future of Ten Hag, as Man United have made a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign, currently sitting down in 14th spot in the Premier League table.
The Red Devils have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, while they have drawn their opening two matches in the league phase of the Europa League against FC Twente and Porto.
Man United’s co-chairmen Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer, football board member Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth were in attendance for an executive meeting in London on Tuesday, where Ten Hag’s future is said to have been discussed.
Thomas Tuchel, who left his role as Bayern Munich manager in May, is currently being heavily linked with the position, while there have been claims that Ruud van Nistelrooy could be placed in charge on an interim basis.
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Ex-Man United chief scout addresses Ten Hag sack rumours
However, Brown, who is well-connected to Man United, has suggested that a change in the dug-out is unlikely to occur until closer to the January transfer window.
“They’ve got a load of players who somebody’s got to come in and deal with,” he told Football Insider. “I’m not so sure that the likes of [Massimiliano] Allegri and Tuchel, people like that, would want that lot.
“So they’re governed by the transfer window and when they can make some changes. I’ve heard the club would like to wait until closer to January before they pull the trigger on Ten Hag so any new boss can have the transfer window.
“But circumstances may be that they’re forced to pull the trigger early. Ideally, it would be closer to January and around the Christmas period and if they wanted to make the call then the new manager could bring in his own players.
“Results will need to pick up though because the pressure is on and they could be forced to make a decision earlier than that.”
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Will Ten Hag be in charge against Brentford?
Man United will return to Premier League action against Brentford on October 19, with that match marking the start of a busy run of fixtures for the 20-time English champions.
It is understood that no decision on Ten Hag’s future was made on Tuesday, and the Dutchman remains under the impression that he will be given time to turn the season around.
As it stands, it does appear likely that Ten Hag will remain in charge for the clash against Brentford, with Man United chiefs said to be reluctant to remove the manager at this stage of the campaign.
However, it is a fast-moving situation, and it would not be a shock to see a change occur in the coming days.