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ITV have filmed Sir Jim Ratcliffe and key members of his INEOS team as they arrived at their office suite for a crucial meeting.
The monthly meeting has adopted extra significance today as speculation about the future of manager Erik ten Hag has reached fever pitch.
After a disappointing season in 2023/24 when United finished eighth in the Premier League, the current campaign has got off to an even worse start.
The Red Devils are lying in 14th place in the Premier League and only Southampton have scored fewer goals. Ten Hag’s men have not won a Europa League game either, only managing a miserable 1-1 draw at home to FC Twente and squandering a two-goal lead against FC Porto last week to end that tie 3-3.
Ineos’ meeting started around lunchtime today.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has joined other Manchester United power brokers at a meeting in London this morning which may help decide the future of manager Erik ten Hag pic.twitter.com/dvjPk6pPtS
— ITV News (@itvnews) October 8, 2024
Ten Hag, as is normal, is not in attendance and is believed to be on holiday.
Should Ineos decide at the meeting to sack Ten Hag, it is likely an interim manager will be appointed.
Top reporters Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein have both said United have not been in talks with any prospective permanent appointments, including Thomas Tuchel, who has been widely touted as the favourite.
A former favourite, Gareth Southgate, is unlikely to be considered according to Ornstein, while the same reporter has rubbished claims that Inter’s Simeone Inzaghi has been approached.
Should it be decided at the meeting to keep Ten Hag in position, it is unlikely to go down well with a fan base that has largely lost faith in the manager.
However, the international break could allow the beleaguered Dutchman time to regroup.
Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui are all now nursing injuries, while Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are all working their way back to fitness.
If the break allows the majority of those stars to return, it could make a huge difference to the mood around Old Trafford.
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