'I can’t believe' - Gary Neville drops hint over Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future

Gary Neville has suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have already decided upon the future of Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.

The Dutchman has only won half of his 36 matches this season with United finishing bottom of their Champions League group and failing to defend their Carabao Cup crown beyond the fourth round.

Ratcliffe has refused to get drawn into comments on Ten Hag and his future but it is thought the manager has time in the bank given last season’s League Cup triumph and top four finish. However, Ratcliffe may be forced into a decision if the season ends sourly.

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INEOS has already made early strides towards structural change with Omar Berrada, currently on gardening leave from Manchester City, soon to start in his role as CEO. Meanwhile, Dan Ashworth has also been ordered to down tools after telling Newcastle he wishes to leave for United as Ratcliffe targets him for the club’s inaugural sporting director role.

Amidst all the early groundwork, Neville believes a decision regarding Ten Hag’s status as first-team boss may soon be decided, if it hasn’t been already. He suggests, therefore, that Champions League qualification may not be a decisive factor in his tenure.

“If you look at the guy [Berrada] who has come in from City as CEO and they're obviously looking to get Dan Ashworth in from Newcastle - they're going to make a decision, I think, quite quickly, if not already,” Neville said of the new regime when speaking to Sky Sports.

“I suspect Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford already know whether