Two Manchester United results have “gone down badly” with Sir Jim Ratcliffe this season, it has been claimed.
On Saturday United put in a dismal display to draw 1-1 with Brentford. Erik ten Hag’s men were dominated by their relegation-threatened opponents, only for Mason Mount’s goal in injury time to set them on course for an unlikely victory.
However, minutes later United conceded a 99th-minute equaliser to claim a draw and fall some eight points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham and 11 behind fourth-placed Villa.
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According to the Telegraph, the draw is among two performances that have “gone down badly” with new owner Ratcliffe and his Ineos team.
The other, according to the publication, is United’s 2-1 home defeat to Fulham five weeks ago.
Ten Hag’s future has been the subject of speculation since Ratcliffe took over football operations at Old Trafford in February, with the likes of England manager Gareth Southgate having been linked to the United job.
Southgate has a good relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford as well as potential incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth.
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Speaking last week Ten Hag insisted he is used to speculation about his job, adding that it is part and parcel of managing a big club.
"You know when you are working at Manchester United, there will always be noise and rumours around the club, team, manager, players, there will always be issues," he said in his press conference ahead of the Brentford draw.
"You [the media] like it to talk about [speculation], but of course, we have different interests, but we are not focusing on that. We are focusing on the process to make the team play better, to improve the way of playing.
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"So yes, I do not care about it.
"I was trainer at Ajax and it [the pressure] was similar and so when you are working at the top in football, you get used to it - so we do not care, players do not care, I do not care.
"We are working and co-operating, we know we have to perform and we have to get the right results."
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Brentford, Fulham, Premier League, Gareth Southgate
Chris Byfield