Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hinted on the future of Erik ten Hag with a point-blank message to Manchester United fans.
The INEOS supremo and football enthusiast was in attendance alongside members of the Glazers family as United scrapped past Coventry City at Wembley to reach the FA Cup final.
The game wasn’t a departure from United’s underwhelming performances this season. The Red Devils surrendered a three-goal lead to settle for a 3-3 draw after extra time.
They were nearly knocked out of the competition after Coventry City scored in the final touch of the game but the goal was ruled out as offside.
United would go on to eliminate the Championship side on penalties – a victory that has been greeted with more criticisms than accolades.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe granted a press interview after the match, addressing key concerns in his mission to rewrite the narrative at Old Trafford.
The UK billionaire also hinted on the future of Erik ten Hag – a subject that has dominated the conversation in the wake of United’s unceasing struggles this season.
Particularly addressing the fans, the INEOS chief said the mission to better United’s footballing fortunes will not be accomplished in a twinkle of an eye but will take time.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, he said;
“The fans are impatient, I have some sympathy with that. But it’s a journey, whether they like it or not they have to be a bit patient”.
“It’s not a light switch, you can’t just turn it around like that.”
While Sir Jim was referring to his isolated moves to restructure United for greatness again, there are suggestions he was subtly making a plea for Erik ten Hag, who has become unpopular with a larger base of United fans due to the club’s stinker performances this season.
Ten Hag has been blasted for his amorphous and patternless style of play, including poor team and player management strategies that has impacted the club’s fortunes this season.
According to reports, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is equally unconvinced by the Dutch. However, if the 72-year-old’s recent comment is anything to go by, United fans should then be ready to have ten Hag run out his remaining one-year contract with the club next season.
