Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly become increasingly frustrated about the constant leaks that have been harming the image of the club. Since taking over as the club’s co-owner following his $1.3 billion investment last year, Ratcliffe has been clear about improving the club’s image both on and off the pitch. However, the British billionaire has lost his cool over the state of affairs at the club.
It hasn’t been a great season for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag comes close to completing his second season as the club’s head coach. United is placed seventh in the Premier League and was knocked out of European competitions earlier this season. The only title that Ten Hag can still win is the FA Cup where his side faces Coventry in the semifinals.
Coventry City vs. Manchester United ⚔️
Manchester City vs. Chelsea ⚔️
The FA Cup semifinal draw is 🔒 pic.twitter.com/XAysOmhKAh
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 17, 2024
Moreover, besides the on-field poor performances, off-the-pitch controversies have also become a major theme in Ten Hag’s two-year stint at the club so far. From Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho to Marcus Rashford, Ten Hag has come under the radar for his alleged poor man-management skills. Most recently, there have been reports of friction between the head coach and Alejandro Garnacho.
🚨 Ratcliffe is ‘angry’ about is the constant leaks emerging from the club, and also the use of social media to criticise the club.
Ratcliffe will not get personally involved, but he has already made it known that he backed Ten Hag over the Sancho situation and going forward he…
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) April 16, 2024
However, these incidents haven’t gone down well with Sir Jim Ratcliffe. According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Ratcliffe is angry about information being leaked from the club. Additionally, Sir Ratcliffe is also displeased with the use of social media to criticize and harm the image of the club. Lastly, it has been reported that Sir Ratcliffe will continue to back Ten Hag, and even supported him during Ten Hag’s dispute with Sancho.
Erik ten Hag finally responds to Manchester United forward’s controversial social media activity
During Manchester United’s recent 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, Erik ten Hag took the surprising decision of taking off Alejandro Garnacho at half-time. Garnacho, who has been one of the best players under Ten Hag, was reportedly frustrated at the substitution and didn’t hesitate to let his feelings be clear. Shortly after the game, Garnacho was caught in hot waters for his controversial social media activity.
The Argentine star liked two tweets by YouTuber Mark Goldbridge on X (formerly known as Twitter) where Ten Hag’s decision to take off Garnacho was criticized. The incident went viral immediately on social media platforms, prompting Garnacho to unlike the two posts. However, this was the second instance a United star had taken a swipe at Ten Hag, with the first being Jadon Sancho.
Alejandro Garnacho has liked these posts from Mark Goldbridge 📲 pic.twitter.com/FtT8xFMNoM
— centredevils. (@centredevils) April 13, 2024
After the match, Ten Hag clarified in the post-match press conference why he decided to take off Garnacho. However, the Dutch coach reportedly also talked with the 19-year-old soccer star regarding the entire situation. All in all, the United fans would be desperately hoping that Garnacho’s fate turns out differently than Sancho who ultimately had to be loaned out to Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester United players delay decisions over uncertainty about Erik ten Hag’s future
Meanwhile, reports have emerged regarding uncertainty about Erik ten Hag’s future as Manchester United’s head coach. As per the British news outlet Manchester Evening News, as many as seven players will be out of contract at the end of this season. However, the players are reportedly not in a hurry to renew their contracts since they are unsure about who the club’s coach will be next season.
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe is yet to publicly make any statements regarding Erik ten Hag’s future, the former Ajax coach appears confident about remaining as the club’s head coach next season. It will all come down to how Manchester United finish at the end of the season. If Ten Hag manages to lead his side to FA Cup triumph and manages to secure a top-four finish, fans might expect to see Ten Hag at the club next season.