Scholes sends firm message to Ratcliffe over Ten Hag's future at Man Utd

25 October 2023 , 06:54

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Scholes sends firm message to Ratcliffe over Ten Hag's future at Man Utd

Paul Scholes has urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe to stick with Erik ten Hag when he arrives at Manchester United.

INEOS founder and chief executive Ratcliffe is on course to seal a £1.4billon deal with the Glazers which will see him own 25 per cent of the club. Britain's second-richest man will also assume control of football operations, running the rule over United's transfer business and their choice of manager.

Although Ratcliffe and his fellow INEOS executives appreciate Ten Hag's body of work - with the Independent claiming that they once attempted to put him in charge of another club that they own, French side Nice - there've been suggestions that the Dutch boss could be axed given United's shoddy start to the season. But Scholes, speaking ahead of the Red Devils' narrow 1-0 win at home to Copenhagen on Tuesday thanks to a Harry Maguire goal and Andre Onana penalty save, insists that the former Ajax manager remains the right man to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.

"I think it's hard to say - I think he's been a very good coach so far, I like him," the ex-Red Devils midfielder told TNT Sports. "He's been ruthless in a job that is incredibly difficult, he's essentially been thrown out to the lions in the sense of answering every single question thrown at him by the media and I think he's handled it really well.

"Has he put a team together that is good enough to challenge for the Premier League? No, but it looked like a good start towards the end of last season.

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"We've come into the summer and the recruitment hasn't been there, it's not at the level of competing with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. There's still a lot of work to do, but he's the right man, whether Jim is coming in to bring someone else in or not."

Have your say! Do you agree that Erik ten Hag shouldn't be sacked? Give us your verdict in the comments section.

Erik ten Hag is beginning to turn Manchester United's season around (Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter has been touted as a potential successor to Ten Hag, despite his stock declining after a struggling spell at Stamford Bridge. For now, though, Ten Hag's position is secure, having claimed three successive victories.

While their performances have been uninspiring, to say the least, there are signs that United's season is on the up after suffering their worst start to a campaign in 34 years. Next up is a tantalising Manchester Derby clash at home to City on Sunday.

Nathan Ridley