STARTLING NEWS: has emerged from Fabrizio Romano, indicating a warning directed at Erik Ten Hag from Sir Jim Ratcliffe ahead of the Boxing Day match versus Aston Villa. Ratcliffe’s message urged Ten Hag to elevate his strategy and approach for this crucial match, stating that failure to secure a win would mark the end of Ten Hag’s tenure with Manchester United. The demand was clear: demonstrate the ability to secure victory or face termination.
Ten Hag uses Ratcliffe's partial takeover of United to rally the players for the Boxing Day loss against Aston Villa.
“Manchester United’s recent Premier League form has been troubling, winning only one of their last five games. With a crucial fixture against Emery’s Aston Villa approaching, they aim to reverse their fortunes. The upcoming Boxing Day clash promises excitement, yet the Red Devils are wary of any misstep against Aston Villa, considering their opponent’s recent stellar performances.
Their Premier League woes include a 2-0 loss to West Ham and a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth in their most recent home game. This unfortunate run has seen them drop to eighth place, with a looming threat of being overtaken by Brighton if results don’t improve, especially if De Zerbi’s side triumphs over Tottenham.
In preparation for this vital match, coach Ten Hag emphasized the need for collective responsibility, urging both himself and the players to elevate their game. He stressed the importance of every individual contributing wholeheartedly. Despite expressing similar sentiments before, Ten Hag’s words now face added scrutiny following Jim Ratcliffe’s partial ownership of Manchester United, which could significantly impact the manager’s future given Ratcliffe’s likely involvement in the club’s sporting department.
While Ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford remains secure for now, the team’s underwhelming start could potentially sway Ratcliffe’s opinion. The upcoming Boxing Day clash against Aston Villa, currently performing exceptionally well under Unai Emery, poses a significant challenge for United, who will subsequently face tough fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Wigan in the FA Cup, Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham, and a rematch with Aston Villa.”
