Erik ten Hag 'on trial' as part of Man Utd audit
- Man Utd technical director Jason Wilcox to lead audit into Erik ten Hag's position
- Red Devils just about reached FA Cup final with penalty shootout win over Coventry
- Premier League form major concern; out of Champions League at the group stage
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is 'effectively on trial' as part of an audit to be undertaken by new technical director Jason Wilcox, a report claims.
Ten Hag has faced fierce criticism for his handling of United throughout a disappointing 2023/24 season - the Red Devils sitting seventh in the Premier League table heading into the final weeks of the campaign, while they were dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage. Most recently, they just about advanced to a second-successive FA Cup final after beating Championship side Coventry City on penalties after United surrendered a three-goal lead at Wembley.
The Telegraph report United want Wilcox - who completed his move to Old Trafford from Southampton only last week - to assess Ten Hag's strengths, weaknesses and relationship with the current playing squad. From there, they will decide whether he fits the profile of manager they want to build the club's new vision under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Though recent performances and results have cast doubt over Ten Hag's suitability from the outside, one factor that may work in the Dutchman's favour is the lack of a 'standout candidate' to potentially replace him.
Ratcliffe attended United's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday after completing the London Marathon, witnessing the Red Devils' collapse in person and coming away with a feeling that Ten Hag's position could become 'unsustainable' if they fail to qualify for Europe.
As part of his audit, Wilcox will watch over training sessions and interview players and staff as well as Ten Hag himself. He is hoping to gain a better understanding of the manager's relationship with the squad following a string of high-profile fall-outs with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
There will also be an investigation into whether United's poor form has been due to their injury crisis - there have now been over 60 separate cases of injury or illness to have ruled a player out of at least one game this season - or if either players and/or manager are incapable of responding to one another.
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