Joel and Avram Glazer were “spotted” attending the Barcelona leg of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup – “sailing’s most prestigious competition” – with INEOS Britannia, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, among the teams taking part, a report by the Athletic reveals.
The three business men, co-owners of Manchester United following the ratification of Ratcliffe’s minority stake in February, converged for a “scheduled board-level meeting” with Old Trafford’s new executive branch, comprising Omar Berrada (Chief Executive), Dan Ashworth (Sporting Director) and Jason Wilcox (Technical Director), also in attendance.
The September international break provides the perfect opportunity for clubs to reflect on both their starts to the season as well as the success (or not) of their efforts over the summer transfer window. There is thought to be quiet satisfaction amongst United executives at the manner in which they were able to conduct business in their first transfer window at Old Trafford.
The Athletic reveals this high-level meeting was designed to “discuss United” but offers no further insight into the intricacies of the talks between the club’s power brokers. The article does contend, however, that there is “concern” amongst club officials at the manner of United’s last game – the abject 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool.
“…there was some concern among United personnel that gaps in midfield were once again evident in the 3-0 loss to Liverpool. Questions were raised internally about whether this is a problem with the players or the instructions they are being given.”
Sources at Old Trafford have revealed to The Athletic that these problems are “similar issues” to ones exhibited by the team last season, and there are figures at the club “who feel the roots are systemic and that a remedy should be sought on the training pitches at United’s Carrington base.”
These concerns are likely to have been relayed by United’s executives to the co-owners during this meeting in Barcelona. But there is no indication the club’s backing of Erik ten Hag, who signed a one-year extension to his deal at Old Trafford in July, has waivered.
Instead, The Athletic reveals, the leadership team “want to continue to support the manager” despite the poor start to the season: “Results dictate sentiment, but there is no appetite for change.”
Though if United’s streak of back-to-back losses – the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion preceding the 0-3 Liverpool demolition – continues, with the same issues on display on the pitch, this resolve will be seriously tested.
The call over Ten Hag’s future would be ultimately decided by a “three-person committee” comprised of Ratcliffe, Joel Glazer, and Sir Dave Brailsford – the INEOS Sport Director. But their collective decision would be based upon “recommendations from those on the ground, notably Berrada, Ashworth and…Wilcox.”
In the build-up to the Liverpool match, both Ashworth and Berrada made a joint public statement throwing their support behind the Dutch manager. “Do we believe in Erik? Absolutely,” Berrada said. “We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.”
There are some positives to cling to from a start which sees United in 14th in the table, already six points behind league leaders Manchester City.
The team are pressing much more effectively than last season while United’s expected goals tally is the fifth highest in the division with 5.22. City have racked up 7.11 but Arsenal, in fourth place, have only accumulated 4.25. If Ten Hag’s forward line can demonstrate a more clinical edge, which will be helped by the return of the injured Rasmus Hojlund, results will improve accordingly.
United’s next four fixtures – Southampton (A), Barnsley (H) in the Carabao Cup, Crystal Palace (A) and FC Twente (H) in the Europa League – are all favourable fixtures which the club should be looking to return four wins from.
If they do, the already mounting pressure on Ten Hag will soften, and the Dutchman can continue to shape his team in the direction he, along with his new coaching staff, want. If they lose one or more, however, there is likely to be another board meeting scheduled between Joel and Jim, this time with far more decisive consequences.
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