There could be plenty to discuss when Manchester United chiefs gather in London next week, just three days after the club’s much-anticipated clash against Aston Villa.
United currently sit 14th in the Premier League table with just two wins from a possible six.
On top of that, they are still waiting for their first victory in this season’s Europa League after draws against FC Twente and FC Porto, who came from two goals behind on Wednesday to secure a point.
A late header from Harry Maguire helped Erik ten Hag’s cause but after a winless run of four games, it appears Sunday’s game against Aston Villa could prove pivotal.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will likely be in attendance at Villa Park, according to widespread reports. Speaking to the BBC this week, he refused to give Ten Hag assurances over his future.
“I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call,” he said. “It’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.”
Ratcliffe could also discuss Ten Hag’s future at a long-standing meeting in London on Tuesday, according to The Athletic, who suggest it is not known at this stage whether the performance of the first team will be ‘on the agenda’.
The report also suggests United will likely need to reassure supporters and the club’s hierarchy with their performance at Villa Park on Sunday.
In terms of the meeting on Tuesday, Ratcliffe will be joined by other decision-makers at United, including Joel Glazer, who will travel from the United States, as well as Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox.
The club’s chief financial officer Roger Bell and chief operating officer Collette Roche are also set to attend.
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INEOS executives have pencilled in one meeting per month since their investment, and it’s likely that Tuesday’s meet-up will be the most eventful yet.
Last week, Ten Hag responded to questions around his immediate future following the club’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.
“I’m not thinking about being sacked,” he said. “We all made this decision to stay together in the summer, as an ownership group, leadership group.
“Also we made the decision, after a clear review, what we have to improve as an organisation and how to construct a squad.
“All decisions are made in togetherness, also knowing it would take some time. We are all there on one page, one boat, the ownership, the leadership group, the staff and players too.”
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He added: “But we knew it would take some time, because of how the (transfer) window went, some players late in like [Manuel] Ugarte, also we have to make some improvement in the organisation.
“We still have to deal with some injuries, also from some impact players.
“I think we will get better there. We need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat together, the ownership, the leadership group, the staff and the players group as well. I don’t have that concern.”