Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'considers alternatives' as Erik ten Hag's Man Utd future 'under further scrutiny'

Manchester United are reportedly considering potential replacements for manager Erik ten Hag as the Red Devils prepare for a season-defining week.

The former Ajax boss is reported to be under pressure in the aftermath of Saturday’s poor performance in defeat against Fulham and will come under further scrutiny when his side travel to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday before focusing on Sunday’s visit to to local rivals Manchester City.

Ten Hag was asked questions about his future in his pre-match press conference ahead of the midweek trip to the City Ground after the Manchester Evening News reported there was ‘uncertainty’ over the Dutchman’s long-term future at Old Trafford and that Roberto de Zerbi was under consideration as a replacement.

The United boss said: “When you are unbeaten for January and February, and you lose one game, our aim is to win every game.  As United, we have to win every game.  Obviously it was a poor performance, a poor defeat.  We want to stay in every competition so we have to win tomorrow but that doesn’t change our approach because that is for every game.  About (the) future? I know the future. But also, I have to look at today and we have to work on the team's development and progress and, of course, to win every game.  That is also what we are doing so a lot of effort is in what is today but we also look forward to longer-term.”

Ten Hag’s future was also discussed on Sky Sports as their Monday Night Football pundits assessed United’s defeat against the Cottagers. Old Trafford legend Gary Neville believes a decision over the former Ajax manager has already been taken and stressed even reaching the Champions League may not change the opinions of the United hierarchy.

He said: “If you look at the CEO coming in from City and they’re looking to get Dan Ashworth in from Newcastle, they’re going to make a decision quite quickly I think - if not already.  I suspect that Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford already know whether they’re going to keep Erik ten Hag as manager next season.

“I can’t believe they’re going to wait until May to make that decision and leave themselves short.  Where Manchester United have been found out in the last ten years, in recruitment on and off the pitch, is making important decisions too late and not being ahead of the game. I don’t think (Ratcliffe and Co) are going to do that.  So for me I suspect that they’ve probably come to a conclusion already - it may even be, whether it’s Champions League or not, that they stick with that decision.”