Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives worrying seven-word response when asked if he has faith in Erik ten Hag to turn Man United around - but says it's NOT his decision on whether to sack the manager

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to publically backmost beleaguered leader Erik 10 Hag arsenic nan early of nan Manchester United leader hangs successful nan balance.

Pressure is mounting connected Ten Hag aft a disappointing commencement to nan season, pinch United heading to in-form Aston Villa connected Sunday successful hopeless request of a win.

Ratcliffe, a number co-owner astatine Old Trafford, is expected to make nan travel to Villa Park to spot Ten Hag and his players successful personification and that has raised further concerns complete Ten Hag’s occupation security.

Over nan summertime Ratcliffe had luncheon pinch erstwhile Chelsea and Bayern Munich leader Thomas Tuchel astir nan anticipation of replacing Ten Hag arsenic manager.

Ratcliffe and his Ineos activity squad yet settled connected sticking pinch Ten Hag arsenic they felt they had nan champion head available.

But pressed connected Friday connected whether he retains religion successful nan beleaguered Dutchman, Ratcliffe would not beryllium drawn.

‘I don’t want to reply that question,’ he told nan BBC.

‘I for illustration Erik. I deliberation he’s a very bully coach but astatine nan extremity of nan time it’s not my call, it’s nan guidance squad that’s moving Manchester United that person to determine really we champion tally nan squad successful galore different respects.’

Ten Hag said this week that ‘everybody is successful nan aforesaid boat’ and that he is successful regular interaction pinch cardinal figures specified arsenic sporting head Dan Ashworth and CEO Omar Berrada.

In Ratcliffe’s opinion, nan restructuring of nan United level needs to beryllium afforded clip to find its groove.

He added: ’That squad that’s moving Manchester United has only been together since June aliases July. They weren’t location successful January, February, March aliases April – [CEO] Omar [Berrada], [Sporting Director] Dan Ashworth - they only arrived successful July.

‘They’ve only been there… you tin count it successful weeks almost - they’ve not been location a agelong clip truthful they request to return banal and make immoderate sensible decisions.

‘Our nonsubjective is very clear - we want to return Manchester United backmost to wherever it should be, and it’s not location yet, evidently - that’s very clear.’