Roy Keane tells Erik ten Hag what he must do to keep Man Utd job as Gary Neville highlights 'biggest decision'

Roy Keane believes pressure will build on Erik ten Hag if he fails to win the FA Cup or get Manchester United into the top-four this season.

Ten Hag's future has been subject to recent speculation amid a disappointing second season in charge at United. 14 defeats across all competitions is a total alongside the club's worst campaigns up to this point and elimination from the Carabao Cup and Champions League before the new year compounded the misery.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks set to take control of footballing operations at United once his stake in the club is fully ratified by the Premier League. New owners tend to oversee drastic changes at management level and Keane believes Ten Hag will be under growing pressure if he fails to deliver on at least one key objective.

"It's a harsh word to use, 'on trial', because most managers are under pressure, but when you're Manchester United manager, that pressure comes," Keane told Sky Sports. “Is he on trial? Yes, he probably is until the end of the season. If he doesn't get his hands on the FA Cup or get into the Champions League, that pressure will be building."

Ratcliffe has already started changing things at United, with Richard Arnold leaving his role as chief executive last year and Omar Berrada poached from Manchester City to replace him. A new sporting director is expected to replace John Murtough before the summer transfer window as well, with links to Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell aplenty.

Ratcliffe, Berrada and any other new hires will likely have a say on Ten Hag's future and Gary Neville believes decisions in the dugout will be crucial for the new hierarchy.

"It's the biggest decision for the new owners in the next few months," Neville said. "They're going to bring a sporting director and a head of recruitment in, but whether they keep the manager is the one we'll all be waiting on."

Ten Hag has somewhat relieved pressure on him with a run of three straight wins across all competitions, including against Newport County in the FA Cup last month. Victory over West Ham on Sunday propelled United up to sixth in the Premier League but they remain eight points off Aston Villa in fourth.