Ineos changes could give Erik ten Hag a decision to make over Manchester United future

An Old Trafford afternoon for the ages hasn't done an awful lot to quieten the noise around Erik ten Hag's future over the past week or so. That unforgettable success against Liverpool is already fading into the distance, even if the memories will last a lifetime.

This week United's international contingent will return to Carrington and preparations will step up for a vital week. Momentum must be maintained at Brentford and Chelsea and in the Old Trafford rematch with Liverpool. It's a run of three Premier League fixtures that will be vital to their chances of securing a spot in next season's Champions League.

Achieve that and it might be enough to secure Ten Hag's future, but there are no guarantees at the moment and plenty of issues to consider, for the new football structure at Old Trafford and for Ten Hag himself.

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With no public display of commitment to the manager, Ineos have left a void around Ten Hag into which speculation will fall. He is fighting for his future after a disappointing season, although it is a campaign that is still salvageable in late March. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford are digging deep into every facet of the club and it's no surprise the manager's position is under review.

At the moment the discussion around Ten Hag's future has focused on whether he is the right man for the job and who the alternatives could be. It has been painted as a decision for Ineos to make and that is broadly correct. If the season spirals out of control once more then they will surely act.

But there could yet be another issue in play at Old Trafford as