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Erik ten Hag has led Manchester United to their worst start in a Premier League season, but it seems he still has some rope left. The club will hold an executive committee meeting on Tuesday, with all the key figures in attendance. However, reports, including those from Sky Sports, suggest that manager Ten Hag is expected to remain in his position at least until the end of the season.

At Manchester United, co-owners Joel Glazer, Jim Ratcliffe, and INEOS’ director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford are the main decision-making members. Two of them – Ratcliffe and Brailsford were at Villa Park on Sunday as Manchester United played out a goalless draw to achieve their worst possible start to a Premier League season.

They now have eight points from seven matches and are in the 14th spot with two wins, two draws, and three losses. Eight points from seven matches is the lowest for the club since 1989-90, when they only had seven points after seven matches. The Premier League was launched in 1992.

Crucial meet in London

On Tuesday, Ratcliffe, Brailsford, and other members of Man United’s executive committee will meet to discuss the club’s affairs.

The other members included chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, chief financial officer Roger Bell, and chief operating officer Collette Roche.

They will be meeting in London to discuss the future.

In fact, Ratcliffe and Glazer were at the club’s Old Trafford stadium on Monday, with videos of their arrival going viral and fueling speculation about ten Hag’s future. However, Sky Sports reported that the meeting was not an emergency gathering; it was scheduled because all members were available during the international break. The meeting is reportedly not a response to United’s poor form, which has seen them go winless in five matches across all competitions.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and David Brailsford at Old trafford right now. Gary neville came in just after them. pic.twitter.com/AhdMpniVb4

— @ (@Mz1n00) October 7, 2024

ten Hag after the Villa draw once again put up a brave face and declared that he has the support of the Man United top brass.

“We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through, it’s a long-term process,” said Ten Hag. “We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have.”

The Dutch coach was expected to depart after the club finished eighth in the Premier League last season but was handed a contract extension to 2026 after winning the FA Cup.

All eyes on feedback from Berrada, Ashworth, and Wilcox

The club has so far shown a lot of faith in the manager and has given no indication that he may be sacked but given their recent poor form, it will be no surprise if the former Ajax manager’s future is discussed at the executive meeting on Tuesday. The most crucial role in that meeting will be played by Berrada, Ashworth, and Wilcox who are involved at the club on a day-to-day basis and the top brass rely heavily on their inputs.

While ten Hag was handed a contract extension before Berrada and Ashworth joined the club, they backed him at the start of September.

“We’re going to continue working very closely with him to help him get the best results out of the team,” Berrada said. “Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely. We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.”

It will be interesting what feedback Berrada, Ashworth, and others give in Tuesday’s meeting because even if reports suggest Manchester United are ready to back ten Hag further, we all know how quickly opinions can change in football.