(4-3-3) New Manchester United formation due to the arrival of Van Nistelrooy as the new coach – INEOS decision finally made.
In a recent interview conducted just before Manchester United’s match against Liverpool, Ineos executives expressed their strong backing for manager Erik ten Hag. This support follows a challenging start to the Premier League season for the club.
United’s early performances have come under scrutiny, with only two goals scored in their first three games, resulting in two defeats and leaving them in a disappointing 14th place in the standings.
Omar Berrada, who took over as Ineos’ chief executive in July, emphasized that Erik ten Hag retains the full backing of the club’s leadership. Speaking to ESPN, Berrada highlighted that the decision to renew Ten Hag’s contract was carefully thought out, and the manager still has the complete confidence of the board. He said, “We’re very satisfied with the decision [to renew Ten Hag’s contract]. Erik has our full support, and we’ve worked closely with him during this transfer window. We’ll continue to collaborate to optimize the team’s performance. Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely. We’re convinced he’s the right coach for us and we’re fully behind him.”
Similarly, Dan Ashworth, Manchester United’s sporting director, who also assumed his role in July, echoed this sentiment. Ashworth expressed his contentment with Ten Hag’s management and highlighted his own role in supporting the manager. He stated, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Erik over the past eight weeks. My responsibility is to support him in every aspect I can, whether that’s in recruitment, medical matters, psychological support, or day-to-day operations. I aim to ease his workload so he can concentrate on training and match preparation to push United forward.”
These statements from Berrada and Ashworth were made prior to United’s loss to Liverpool and were scheduled for public release on Monday evening as per media agreements. Despite the recent setback, Ineos remains steadfast in their backing of Ten Hag, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to him as the club navigates a difficult period.
Now in his third season with the club, Erik ten Hag faces the challenge of improving on last season’s underwhelming eighth-place finish. Despite winning two trophies, fans are calling for more consistency. The team’s struggles in the opening matches, including a lack of goals and defensive issues, have only added to the pressure.
With 35 league matches still to play and new signings like Manuel Ugarte yet to make their mark, Ten Hag needs to start delivering consistent results. Although Berrada and Ashworth’s continued assurances of support are encouraging, the weight of expectation from fans remains high, particularly after their frustrations boiled over during the Liverpool defeat. The coming weeks will be crucial as Ten Hag looks to address the team’s issues and steer them back on course.
