Man United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe responds to Erik ten Hag sack rumours

There is currently severe pressure on Ten Hag due to Man United's disappointing start to the season, and there have been claims that the Dutchman could lose his job if the team again struggle against Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Red Devils were minutes away from suffering a damaging defeat to Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night despite leading 2-0, but they managed to claim a late point courtesy of a header from Harry Maguire.

According to The Mirror, Ratcliffe will be at Villa Park on Sunday for Man United's clash with Unai Emery's side, fuelling suggestions that a major management decision could be imminent.

When questioned on Ten Hag's future at the helm, Ratcliffe said that "sensible decisions" need to be made due to the fact that the new structure at the club has only been in place for "weeks".

Ratcliffe addresses Ten Hag sack rumours

When asked by BBC Sport whether he had faith in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe responded: "I don't want to answer that question...I like Erik. I think he's a very good coach but at the end of the day it's not my call, it's the management team that's running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.

"But that team that's running Manchester United has only been together since June or July. They weren't there in January, February, March or April - [CEO] Omar [Berrada], [Sporting Director] Dan Ashworth - they only arrived in July

"They've only been there... you can count it in weeks almost - they've not been there a long time so they need to take stock and make some sensible decisions.

"Our objective is very clear - we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it's not there yet, obviously - that's very clear."

Who could replace Ten Hag at Man United?

If the club decide to replace Ten Hag, then it is likely that Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is currently assistant manager at the club, would be placed in charge on an interim basis.

Van Nistelrooy has experience of managing following his time at PSV Eindhoven, and the 48-year-old is also incredibly familiar with the Red Devils due to his time as a player at the club between 2001 and 2006.

A successful spell could potentially lead to him being handed the job on a full-time basis, but Gareth Southgate would also be in the frame, should a change be made in the near future.

Southgate is thought to be the preferred choice of Man United chief Sir Dave Brailsford, and he would be immediately available, having left his role with England after Euro 2024.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and the unattached Graham Potter would also reportedly be in the frame, while a move for Thomas Tuchel, who left Bayern Munich over the summer, also cannot be ruled out.