Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is fighting for his Old Trafford future but Ineos will also face decisions on his coaching staff.
United are back in action on Sunday afternoon, hosting Premier League title challengers Arsenal at Old Trafford.
If ever Erik ten Hag needed a big result, this might be the time.
United fans have, sadly, become used to seeing poor performances this season but Monday’s 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace felt like a new low.
A win over Arsenal would push the Premier League title towards Manchester City, but that rivalry will be the least of Ten Hag’s worries.
The Dutchman is fighting to prove that he is the man for United’s future and a win over Arsenal would to some way to aiding that cause.
That result at Palace was followed by renewed speculation surrounding Thomas Tuchel potentially becoming United boss this summer.
Ten Hag needs a big result and performance to slow those rumours down – but there is further speculation around Ineos and their plans.
Ineos consider Steve McClaren future
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have seized control of football operations at Old Trafford and are bringing change.
Ineos have already landed a new CEO and technical director, with a new sporting director on the way in too.
It’s reasonable to assume that Ten Hag could be replaced too – but Steve McClaren could end up staying.
The Mirror claim that McClaren is ’set to escape’ a United cull this summer and he looks set to keep his job.
Coach McClaren – who reunited with Ten Hag in 2022 having previously worked together at FC Twente – is understood to have a strong relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford.
McClaren welcomed Brailsford to speak to his Derby County squad nearly 10 years ago and the pair are understood to share similar ideas.
The 63-year-old is viewed as being an experienced head who could form the part of any coaching staff moving forward – whether that is alongside Ten Hag or not.
McClaren history at Manchester United
McClaren’s coaching career started in the youth and reserve ranks at Oxford United before becoming Jim Smith’s assistant boss at Derby County.
Sir Alex Ferguson then pounced to bring McClaren to United in 1999, landing him as his new assistant following Brian Kidd’s move to Blackburn Rovers.
McClaren spent just two-and-a-half years at United before becoming Middlesbrough boss, putting him on the path to becoming England manager.
Ferguson is still a big fan of McClaren, stating in 2023 that his experience was invaluable to United and that he would play a ‘big part’ in any success under Ten Hag.
After a host of managerial jobs, McClaren returned to United to join forces with Ten Hag and Mitchell van der Gaag.
There have even been calls for McClaren to step up and take interim charge of United right now with both Michael Owen and Paul Scholes backing him.
That seems very unlikely at this stage in the campaign but McClaren could form part of a new United approach next season with Ineos seemingly big fans.
