Africa-Press – Mozambique. Manchester United’s ownership situation needs a quicker resolution to bring greater clarity to Erik ten Hag’s position, numerous sources connected to the club have told BBC Sport.
The United manager is under pressure following successive 3-0 home defeats by Manchester City and Newcastle.
Ten Hag admitted United were “in a bad place” but said he was “a fighter” —and club officials have attempted to play down speculation about his future. Manchester United face a run of “must-win” games.
Saturday’s match at Fulham —opponents United have not lost to since 2009— is followed by a Champions League trip to FC Copenhagen.
After starting their group campaign with successive defeats, United probably need a total of at least four points from that game and the November 29 encounter with Galatasaray in Istanbul to feel confident about advancing to the knockout stage.
The visit to Denmark is followed by a home match against Luton Town. The Hatters have only avoided defeat in an away game against United once in their history, in 1897.
Poor results in those games would bring United under intense pressure to make a managerial change, but that process may not be straightforward.
It is nearly a year since the Glazer family said they were considering selling the club as they “explore strategic alternatives”.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is aiming to secure a 25% stake in United but the deal is still to be completed.
Ratcliffe wants to assume control of the football operations side of United and would have a major say in any potential decision to replace Ten Hag.
But strict rules around the entire bid process would make it difficult for the Glazer family to consult Ratcliffe until a deal is finalised.
It is felt by many observers that United would benefit from the ownership situation being clarified, with most also feeling a fresh look at how Old Trafford operates by Ratcliffe would be a positive.
Elsewhere, defender Mamadou Sakho has left Montpellier after clashing with manager Michel der Zakarian in training.
L’Equipe said the ex-Liverpool player stormed off after his manager did not give him a foul in training and later, angered by something Der Zakarian said, grabbed him and knocked him over.
A club statement said “After 10 days of reflection, both parties have agreed in good faith” to end the contract. But Sakho later wrote on social media: “I decline all responsibility.”
The 33-year-old added: “You have to know how to leave the table when respect is no longer served.”
The former France international, who also played for Crystal Palace, played 49 times for Montpellier since his July 2021 move but only six of them came after the arrival of Armenian Der Zakarian in February. Sakho’s spell at Liverpool also ended for disciplinary reasons.
He was sent home from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States in July 2016 after being late on three separate occasions and did not play for the club again – joining Crystal Palace, initially on loan, in February 2017.
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