Erik ten Hag future LIVE Sir Jim Ratcliffe silent as Ten Hag 'survives' the sack (2025)

Good night

That's it for our live Manchester United blog on Wednesday evening.

Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow.

Onana feeling at home

Andre Onana has enjoyed a fine start to the season with Manchester United.

Feeling at home on and off the pitch

@AndreyOnana #MUFC pic.twitter.com/dxikBKUXl9

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 9, 2024

Tuchel identifies first transfer

Thomas Tuchel has reportedly identified Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo as his top transfer target should he take over from Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, according to Fichajes.

Ten Hag has come under increasing pressure at Old Trafford following their drab start to the season, with United winning just three of their opening 10 matches across all competitions.

Should Ten Hag get the bullet, Tuchel has been named as someone that could take over with the German out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.

But Tuchel has now made the signing of Araujo a key condition for accepting the position at Old Trafford, with hopes of getting the deal done in the January transfer window.

Amad withdraws

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has withdrawn from the Ivory Coast squad due to illness.

The 22-year-old was set to play an important role in two upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone, but now won't feature after being sent home.

Diallo is suffering with illness and will instead stay at home in England while he recovers and there is hope that it's only a short-term concern for Erik ten Hag and United.

Read the full story here.

Man Utd U21s win

Manchester United Under 21s have beaten Forest Green Rovers 3-2 in the National League Cup.

Goals from Malachi Sharpe, Ethan Ennis and Victor Musa earned United all three points at The New Lawn Stadium.

United want Tickle

Manchester United and Arsenal are both tracking the progress of Wigan's Sam Tickle as they look to bolster their goalkeeping options, according to TEAMTalk.

Tickle has been in excellent for Wigan this season, keeping straight clean sheets to enhance his reputation of being one of the most talented goalkeepers in the EFL.

Chilwell transfer

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United have made Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell their top transfer target in January.

The 27-year-old has made just one appearance for the Blues this season and could still leave the club despite being integrated back into the squad by Enzo Maresca.

United are said to be confident they can land Chilwell's signature, but there is also interest from Atletico Madrid.

Depay contract

Memphis Depay's contract with Corinthians could be terminated just a month after his move from Atletico Madrid.

The former Manchester United winger, who had a year left on his deal with Madrid, chose to move to Brazil despite interest from several European clubs. However, financial issues at Corinthians have cast doubt over his future there.

The club's primary sponsor, Esportes da Sorte, suspected of criminal activity, is reportedly responsible for most of Depay's salary. If they are forced to sever ties with the team, Corinthians may not be able to afford the £9m-per-year agreement with the 30-year-old, one of the league's highest earners. Despite providing two assists in his four appearances for the club, Depay may soon be seeking a new team.

Read the full story here.

Kolo Muani bid

Manchester United have reportedly prepared a major bid in the region of £58.6million for Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, as per Fichajes.

United are ready to 'go all out' to try and bring the France international to Old Trafford in 2025, with PSG ready to 'listen to offers' for the 25-year-old, who has struggled for game time this season.

Van Basten slams Ugarte

Marco van Basten has slammed Manchester United's decision to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain and believes the midfielder is 'not even worth a quarter' of his £50.5million transfer fee.

"Now also that last one, Ugarte, who cost £50 million, you think, 'how do you even think about paying so much money for that?' That is really bizarre," Van Basten said on Ziggo Sport's 'Rondo' show.

When it was suggested that Van Basten might not know Ugarte well, he replied: "No, but I could already see in that match that he's not even worth a quarter of that amount."

OPINION: Liverpool did what United are considering with Ten Hag - with one big difference

"Erik ten Hag is fighting for his future at Manchester United but having jetted off on holiday this week, he will point to respectable draws at Porto and Aston Villa as evidence that he has earned the right to carry on. In isolation, both results are at least reasonable, certainly when put in the context of the 3-0 Old Trafford defeat to Tottenham that preceded them. When United's executive committee met in London on Tuesday, they will have tried to see the bigger picture regarding Ten Hag. Five games without a win and three wins in 11 this season are perfectly acceptable reasons to believe the promised improvement isn't forthcoming. It is the kind of far-sighted, ruthless decision an ownership sometimes has to make to move a club forward. Joel Glazer, who has flown in for a meeting at Old Trafford and Tuesday's Knightsbridge talks this week, could ask his American counterparts Fenway Sports Group about that."

Click here to read more from senior football writer Tyrone Marshall.

Inzaghi 'rejected' two approaches by United

According to a report by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, as cited by Tribuna, United have 'courted' Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi twice in recent months.

It is claimed United reached out to him at the end of last season and once again in the September international break.

However, it is reported that Inzaghi, 48, rejected United's advances on both occasions.

He has been in charge of Inter since June 2021.

Ten Hag 'preparing as normal' for Brentford fixture

United manager Erik ten Hag is 'preparing as normal' for the clash with Brentford on October 19, according to a report by ESPN.

Ten Hag is under pressure at Old Trafford after Sunday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa marked a fifth game without a win and a third successive league match without a goal.

Despite plenty of speculation and uncertainty surrounding his future, it is claimed he is going nowhere for now, and that he will be in charge when Brentford visit Old Trafford after the international break.

OPINION: Ten Hag is getting his new United policy wrong - what Ineos do next feels inevitable

"If rotation, which Erik ten Hag is using as the reason behind almost every change he makes to his starting line-up these days, is such a key principle, questions have to be asked as to why other players are getting long runs in the team when changes are there to be made. Christian Eriksen, for example, stored 90 minutes under his belt against Porto and the same again against Villa. The Dane, following the arrival of Manuel Ugarte on deadline day, was expected to be pushed further down the pecking order, yet he is now playing his biggest role since his first season at the club. He will turn 33 in February, is out-of-contract next summer and should be gradually being phased out."

Click here to read more from United writer George Smith.

Yoro shares encouraging injury update

Away from executive committee meetings and uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag's future, Leny Yoro has shared encouraging news on the injury front.

The Frenchman has been sidelined since July because of a fractured metatarsal. He has shared video footage of himself on social media on a treadmill at Carrington, confirming his recovery is heading in the right direction.

Click here to read more.

Join our United WhatsApp community for all the latest news

Although the second international break of the season is now upon us, that doesn't mean the news has stopped.

It is a big period in the future of United amid the level of pressure manager Erik ten Hag is under.

To ensure you don't miss any of the latest developments, make sure you join our United WhatsApp community. Sign up below to get regular updates sent directly to your smartphone.

OPINION: Tuchel appointment could finally unlock £60m transfer for United

"Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, two members of the Ajax team that reached the Champions League semi-final in 2019 under Erik ten Hag, both moved to Old Trafford in the summer and both made references to their manager when completing their respective transfers. United have shelled out almost £250million on those players. There's no guarantee that Thomas Ruchel will like them, even though Mazraoui and De Ligt played for him at Bayern last season, and they could be dropped. That's one concern. However, there's other investment who could finally unlock his potential in red."

Click here to read more from reporter Josh Holland.

OPINION: United sacking plans for a manager are still the same

"There is precedent for international break dismissals in the second week. Mauricio Pochettino bid farewell to Tottenham players four days before their domestic campaign resumed at West Ham. Liverpool were far more decisive with Brendan Rodgers, sacked hours after a Merseyside derby stalemate in October 2015. Liverpool were six unbeaten and had a golden duck lined up in Jurgen Klopp. United are not as certain of Erik ten Hag's replacement. Thomas Tuchel is admired, chiefly by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and immediately attainable. Other managers in work are admired."

Click here to read more from chief United writer Samuel Luckhurst.

Silvestre anticipates Ten Hag exit

Former United defender Mikael Silvestre believes Erik ten Hag will be sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy "soon" amid ongoing uncertainty about his future.

The Dutchman is under mounting pressure after Sunday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa marked a fifth successive game without a win across all competitions. It also marked a third straight Premier League outing without a goal.

Silvestre told BetMGM:

"I expect Ten Hag to be sacked soon. He's under pressure because it's the worst start in Premier League history for the club. There are also question marks around his ability to get the most out of his players in order for the club to progress and improve. If I’m being honest, the club has been going backwards now for a long time under Ten Hag, not just this season. They concede a lot of goals and don’t score enough. Furthermore, the way the team is playing does not bring any confidence to anybody who runs or cares for the club. Every player who has joined the team this summer is not performing to their best and they aren’t all bad players, so something's not working for sure. Generally, when things don’t work, clubs part ways with managers and that's what United should do asap."

OPINION: United executive committee should have debated £50m transfer as part of Ten Hag talks

"Manuel Ugarte, a summer signing recruited specifically to fill the problematic holding midfield position, was an unused substitute across the two games that were set to decide Erik ten Hag's future. It felt like a telling call from the manager. United went with Casemiro alongside Christian Eriksen in Porto, and then Kobbie Mainoo returned at Villa Park. When Mainoo departed with five minutes to go, it was Casemiro who came on ahead of Ugarte. This pecking order has been reversed in the month since Ugarte made his debut ahead of the Brazilian at Southampton."

Click here to read more from senior football writer Tyrone Marshall.

The big United poll

It goes without saying United's start to the season has not been good enough.

Two wins from their opening seven Premier League matches, which have featured just five goals, has left the club sitting 14th in the table for this international break.

Amid their ongoing troubles, the MEN is inviting you to have YOUR say on the ongoing situation at Old Trafford. You can submit your views by answering our survey below.

OPINION: Big club CV, personality clashes and trophies - Tuchel verdict as next United boss

"It might seem churlish to mention it, but one area where Erik ten Hag has struggled at United is having the charisma required to manage a big club. The language barrier hasn't helped, but those who have worked closely with him in the Netherlands always said it was an area he wasn't a natural in. That shouldn't matter but when the spotlight is as fierce as it is at United, it probably is important. Thomas Tuchel has no problems here. He can hold a room in German and English and is an excellent communicator. Ahead of the Champions League group stage fixture in Munich last season he spoke eloquently about the pressures of managing a club of the size of Bayern and United."

Click here to read more from senior football writer Tyrone Marshall.

United's next six Premier League fixtures

Whether Erik ten Hag is in charge or not, United need to find a way to improve their form - and quickly.

Following this current international break, United will resume their Premier League campaign against Brentford. With that said, here is a quick rundown of the Reds' next six league matches...

• Brentford (H) - October 19
• West Ham United (A) - October 27
• Chelsea (H) - November 3
• Leicester City (H) - November 10
• Ipswich Town (A) - November 24
• Everton (H) - December 1

OPINION: Tuchel has already proven he can have the impact United would be looking for

"He made Chelsea hard to beat, quickly tightening up their defence, and that led to them getting results on the board and a memorable European adventure coming to fruition. The club's decision to axe Frank Lampard and appoint Thomas Tuchel was arguably the last good one they made. Of course, there are caveats to outline, such as the fact almost all of the second half of the 2020/21 campaign was played behind-closed-doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But Tuchel, if approached by United to succeed Ten Hag, will be tasked with a similar challenge at Old Trafford, albeit much earlier in the season. United, who signed off for the international break with a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Sunday, are currently 14th in the table, struggling for wins and struggling for goals. Like Chelsea in 2020/21, United's struggles have followed a big-money spending spree."

Click here to read more from United writer George Smith.

Allegri tipped to return to Milan amid United links

Italian boss Massimiliano Allegri is being tipped to return to AC Milan amid reports linking him with a move to United.

Amid mounting pressure on Erik ten Hag, a plethora of bosses are currently being linked with the prospect of replacing the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

However, Allegri, 57, is being tipped to return to Milan for a second spell in charge by his managerial mentor, Giovanni Galeone. Allegri was previously in charge of Milan between 2010 and 2014.

Galeone told TuttoMercato:

"Max won straight away in Milan as soon as he became Rossoneri coach. His return to the current Milan side would be perfect for the strong technical qualities that they have. They have strong individuals in attack and Max would bring solidity to the defence. If he were to receive an offer from [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, I think he would accept it, without a doubt."

Cole: 'You can't pin all the blame on Ten Hag'

Former United striker Andy Cole has said it is unfair to blame the club's poor start to the season directly on Erik ten Hag, insisting the players have to take responsibility.

Ten Hag is under mounting pressure in M16 after overseeing just two wins from United's opening seven Premier League games this term.

Cole told Betfred:

"Whatever the people in charge decide to do, it will be done with the best interests of the club in mind. That's that. However you look at it, for an individual to win two cup competitions in their first two seasons at Manchester United, that's not lucky. You can't be lucky two seasons on the bounce. The club will do whatever they decide to do but if you look at the bigger picture, you can't just blame the manager. The manager picks the players, but the players are the ones that have to go out there and win football matches. That's the way it is."

Ten Hag 'survives' United axe after London meeting

According to a report by The Times, United manager Erik ten Hag has 'clung on to his job' after an executive committee meeting was held in London yesterday.

Senior United officials, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, held a meeting for around six hours in the capital yesterday, reflecting on the club's start to the season.

Ten Hag's future was understood to be a big topic after a run of five games without a win. However, it has been claimed that he has 'survived' being given his marching orders.

United silent on Ten Hag's future amid radio silence from Ratcliffe

United are yet to clarify Erik ten Hag's future following their executive meeting in London on Tuesday.

Co-chairmen Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer, football board member Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth all met at Ineos's office in Knightsbridge to dicsuss Ten Hag's position, among other matters. Chief financial officer Roger Bell and Ineos sport chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc were also in attendance for the six-hour summit.

There have been conflicting whispers regarding Ten Hag's fate and a source said nothing should be read into the club's failure to communicate an outcome on Tuesday night.

Click here to read the full story from our chief United writer, Samuel Luckhurst.

The wait goes on 24 hours after Ratcliffe's arrival

We're approaching 24 hours since Sir Jim Ratcliffe entered his company's Knightsbridge offices and the six-hour executive committee meeting began. As of now, Erik ten Hag remains United's manager.

The more time passes by the likelier it is that Ten Hag is going to survive the October international break and still be in charge against Brentford, although it does still feel like we're in a holding pattern at the moment.

United officials insist these monthly meetings are regular and any communication around them is unlikely, but the circumstances are unusual this month. Maybe they want to avoid a public vote of confidence if the decision has been taken to stick with Ten Hag but feels like everyone is in limbo at the moment.

Schmeichel urges United to stick with Ten Hag

Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel wants the club to stand by Erik ten Hag and refrain from making a change in the dugout just yet.

Ten Hag is under mounting pressure at Old Trafford after Sunday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa extended United's winless run in all competitions to five matches.

Although Schmeichel has made no secret of his admiration for Thomas Tuchel, who is the leading favourite to potentially replace Ten Hag, he wants the Dutchman to remain in situ for the time being.

He told the Seaman Says podcast:

"Erik ten Hag is still the manager and I will support him because I want the club to do well. I don't want United to be the club that changes the manager all the time. I hope they stick with Erik because we need consistency now. Let him have a fair go at this."

Click here to read the full story.