Man United know Bayern Munich truth amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe's shrinking options and damaged reputations

As Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc dined with Ineos officials at The Ivy on Wednesday they would have had plenty to discuss. Blanc's elevation to interim chief executive at Manchester United made it likely this was a night for talking shop.

With Blanc now filling the top job until Omar Berrada's arrival on July 13 and with Ineos man Roger Bell installed as chief financial officer, Ratcliffe is close to having his key leadership group in place. A date for Berrada to take up office at Old Trafford is welcome and the priority now is working out a deal with Newcastle United for sporting director Dan Ashworth.

But the decision causing the most angst within that group is surely the future of Erik ten Hag, United's under-pressure manager who continues to come out fighting in a bid to stay at the club. The Dutchman has pointed to injuries, refereeing decisions and another FA Cup final in recent weeks to outline his credentials to lead United into a new era.

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There are certainly mitigating factors for Ten Hag this season and he did store up plenty of credit from his first campaign in charge. If Ratcliffe and his team decide to keep the 54-year-old they will be overlooking collapses such as the one against Coventry City at Wembley and results as dispiriting as the draw with Burnley at the weekend.

It's not a simple decision to make, however. Ineos have changed almost every major role at the club since they took over but ditching Ten Hag would clearly be the most seismic. And while Ratcliffe felt upgrades were achievable with the appointments