Ten Hag is under huge pressure heading into Sunday’s game against Aston Villa.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to give Erik ten Hag assurances over his future as Manchester United manager amid speculation the Dutchman could be sacked during the international break.

Ratcliffe’s INEOS took charge of football operations at United back in February following its purchase of 25 per cent of the club’s shares, in a deal worth around £1.3billion.

In a major call, INEOS’ leadership group opted to back Ten Hag in the summer, despite United finishing eighth in the Premier League in the 2023/24 season.

While the club conducted a search for a potential replacement for Ten Hag, which included interviewing several candidates, the decision was eventually made to keep the former Ajax manager.

United also handed him a contract extension to 2026 after his side won the FA Cup final against Manchester City in their final match of the season.

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That now looks to be a decision that has spectacularly backfired, with United badly struggling at the start of the new campaign.

The Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League and are without a win in four matches, having been held to a 3-3 draw by Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night.

That has led to increased speculation over Ten Hag’s future, with some suggesting he could be sacked if United lose to Aston Villa on Sunday in their final match before the international break.

Asked by the BBC whether he still had faith in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe said he supported the Dutchman but added that a decision over his future was not his to make.

“I don’t want to answer that question… I like Erik,” said Ratcliffe.

“I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.

Ten Hag is under huge pressure at United (Image: Getty)

“But that team that’s running Manchester United has only been together since June or July. They weren’t there in January, February, March or April – [CEO] Omar [Berrada], [Sporting Director] Dan Ashworth – they only arrived in July.

“They’ve only been there… you can count it in weeks almost – they’ve not been there a long time so they need to take stock and make some sensible decisions.

“Our objective is very clear – we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it’s not there yet, obviously – that’s very clear.”

Speaking after the draw with Porto, in which United surrendered a 2-0 lead and needed a last-gasp equaliser from Harry Maguire to salvage a point, Ten Hag called for patience – both for him and his players.

“We are in there together, the ownership, leadership team, the staff,” he said.

“I appointed new staff. We bought new young players, and we have to integrate them, like Manuel Ugarte. I know in top football, usually you don’t get time.

“They have to perform immediately, but that’s not always realistic. He [Ugarte] has to get used to our game model, to his teammates, to the intensity of the Premier League.

“It needs time.”