Legend of Manchester United Following Sunday’s depressing defeat in the Manchester derby, Paul Scholes believes Erik ten Hag’s future has already been determined by Ineos.
For Paul Scholes, Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have already made up their minds regarding Erik ten Hag’s future as Manchester United manager.
Ten Hag will continue to be closely watched despite United’s dismal season; pressure on him was already present heading into Sunday’s Manchester derby. This will not change despite United’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City. With 67 games played, United now sits eleven points outside of fourth place in the Premier League following this defeat.
If Ineos fails to qualify for the Champions League, Ten Hag is anticipated to leave, and there have been whispers that the team may decide to appoint a new manager prior to the 2024–2025 campaign. Scholes, though, claims that the Dutchman was already chosen by the team’s new management.
After the Etihad encounter, he told Optus Sport, “What we’re seeing is a million miles away from a team that should be challenging for the league.” It always seems so far away, no matter the season.
When asked whether he thought Ten Hag would stay on at the start of the next season, Scholes responded, “I think they [INEOS] have already made their mind up.” I seriously doubt that he will be back next season. No.
From the interviews we’ve heard with Sir Jim, it seems to me that the club has been somewhat maligned for the last ten or so years, especially the last two. I don’t think he’s happy with the way things are going. I wouldn’t be shocked if they were looking for a new manager right now. I fear that this is not the best decision.
In the last few weeks, there has been a growing amount of conjecture regarding Ten Hag’s future because Ratcliffe chose not to publicly back him. But he insisted before the Manchester derby that he could support himself and didn’t need any official show of support from the team’s new owners.
He said as much last week: “I don’t care because I’m here and I have a three-season contract.” I’m so focused on this process that I’m not paying attention to anything else. I have talked at length with Sir Dave Brailsford, Sir Jim Radcliffe, and other members of that group.
They seem to think highly of me, and I feel like I understand everything we’re discussing. But I’m not focusing on my personal circumstance. The team is all I can think about, and I have to figure out how to get the most out of them.
It’s important to focus on that and block out outside distractions. I promise—I’m an expert. Every time we get together, we talk about our future goals.
