Erik ten Hag retains the backing of Manchester United’s football leadership structure with no immediate plans for a change of manager.
Sky Sports News understands while there is consensus that the non-performance in the 3-0 drubbing against Tottenham was unacceptable, the hierarchy’s focus at the moment remains on providing support to the Dutchman, his backroom staff, and the players to turn their fortunes around.
Ten Hag is set to remain in situ for the tough tests against Porto and Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports next Sunday, ahead of the international break as pressure intensifies on his job, amid over £600m being spent on recruitment since his appointment.
The hammering at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday was a successive 3-0 home league defeat, after Liverpool also comprehensively outplayed United.
Ahead of the capitulation against Spurs, there was internal belief that the team was showing signs of improvement with both their attacking and defensive metrics improving, with a lack of clinical edge the biggest concern.
However, familiar bad habits – like not putting pressure against the ball and being so easy to play against – keep resurfacing, which increases the scrutiny on Ten Hag.
Sunday’s defeat showcased the flaws that leaves United 12th in the table, already six points off the Champions League places with as many games played.
They have failed to score in three of their past four league encounters and only 19th-placed Southampton have struggled to find the net more than Ten Hag’s side this season.
It builds up to another critical week in the manager’s tenure. His European record in charge of United is poor, with a sole win in the past nine continental fixtures, rendering the trip to Porto daunting.
Unai Emery’s in-form Villa, on a four-match unbeaten league run, will also be taxing challenge for a side low on confidence.
