Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear to his colleagues that he wants to see Erik ten Hag relieved of his managerial duties, according to TEAMtalk.

The Red Devils have had a dismal start to the season and currently sit 14th in the Premier League table and huge pressure is mounting on the Dutchman.

Many stories regarding Ten Hag’s future are doing the rounds and with the club’s executive committee meeting in London on Tuesday, TEAMtalk can give an exclusive insight into the thought process of the Manchester United hierarchy.

And we understand that Ratcliffe has made it clear that he wants change to happen and sources say that potential replacements for Ten Hag are already being assessed.

The British billionaire was ready to replace Ten Hag before the start of the season but ultimately handed him a one-year contract extension after they were unable to agree a deal with a suitable replacement.

Just like in the summer, Ratcliffe is willing to wait to find the right man to replace Ten Hag and has handed control of the situation over to Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada. They are looking at all options with two names coming up as the favourites so far.

Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter are the two candidates being closely looked at by Man Utd and talks with the duo are expected in the near future.

Tuchel spoke with Man Utd over the summer but didn’t feel the timing was right for him to take the job. However, the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss is open to another conversation and feels ready to return to management.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has also been discussed behind the scenes at Man Utd. However, the cost and difficult;y of getting him out of his contract at St James’ Park is seen as a stumbling block.

No indication over Ten Hag decision after seven-hour Man Utd meeting

Latest from Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

“As far as Erik ten Hag is concerned, no news is good news.

“Manchester United’s perspective on what happened today is that this was a routine meeting. The meeting was held at the headquarters of INEOS, who are now in charge of all football operations.

“Of course, there’s been a lot of media focus on the meeting today around Ten Hag’s future. 

“But all the information I’m getting from this meeting is that it was a routine meeting. Lots of things were discussed apart from Ten Hag, like the redevelopment of Old Trafford, commercial and sponsorship deals and accounts.

“The meeting went on for quite a long time. It started around 9.30am as Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrived with Sir Dave Brailsford. Also in attendance was Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada, Jean-Claude Blanc. Joel Glazer and Jason Wilcox were also expected to attend.

“We didn’t see anyone leaving until around 4.45pm, when Blanc left by the front door.

“I think a decision was made that Sir Jim Ratcliffe should leave by the back exit because there were so many people here.

“The meeting went on for almost seven hours. I think if you want to be a conspiracy theorist, you may say, ‘Why did the meeting go on for so long?’

“But the sense I get is, at the moment, no news is good news for Ten Hag. 

“Of course, if a decision has been made that Ten Hag should be replaced, the media are not going to be the first people who are going to be told – that would be done in the right way. 

“I am getting no indication that that kind of decision was made today, and for the time being, I’m being told that it’s business as usual.”

Ex-Manchester City star Sergio Aguero is demanding a £2.5million payout from Barcelona THREE YEARS after his shock retirement.

The Argentine signed for the Spanish giants in the summer of 2021 after leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of his contract. Aguero, then 33, made just five appearances for the club and scored only one goal.

He was taken off during a clash with Alaves after complaining about chest pain. Barcelona later confirmed that the complaint was due to an arrhythmia and after further investigations, Aguero announced his retirement in an emotional press conference.

And it now appears that the former striker wants a considerable compensation package from his former side. According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, who has shared information about Barcelona’s 2023/24 financial affairs, Aguero wants a €3m payout from the club (£2.5m) as part of an employment resolution package.

Aguero still had 18 months remaining on his contract with Barca at the time of his retirement. The five-time Premier League winner also had a €100m (£84m) buyout clause written into that deal.

Opening up on the heart diagnosis that forced his retirement earlier this year, Aguero said: “As we reach the end of a play I jump to head and start looking at my goal.

“I’m starting to get dizzy, I wanted to say something and the words weren’t coming out. The Alaves defender was there and grabbed my hand. He started shouting until the referee saw me and stopped the collision.

“When I got down on the grass is when that pressure went down. And my heart started beating faster. I got the arrhythmia. I had already had smaller episodes.

“And a week before it had happened to me in training. The doctor told me to calm down that it was going to stop, but it didn’t stop. Two minutes were like 20. I took it as if it was going to cure, and I was hospitalised for four days and then the diagnosis came.”