Man Utd players 'expect Erik ten Hag to be sacked'

Manchester United's first-team squad believe manager Erik ten Hag is likely to be sacked this summer, according to a report.

Ten Hag is under increasing pressure in the Old Trafford hot-seat following a rather dismal 2023/24 season so far.

The Red Devils made fine progress under the Dutchman in his debut 2022/23 campaign, ending their six-year trophy drought with victory in the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League.

However, United have limped through this season. There have been 47 separate cases of injury and illness in the first-team ranks, but performances on the pitch have been underwhelming and Champions League qualification is increasingly unlikely.

The Daily Mail report that while Ten Hag does still have support from the dressing room, players are of the belief new club shareholders INEOS will look to appoint a new manager in time for the 2024/25 season.

Ten Hag has publicly insisted he has the support of INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, though privately has revealed he has not been given assurances of his long-term future.

United had already planned to review Ten Hag's future at the end of the season following the appointment of Omar Berrada as CEO and the expected arrival of Dan Ashworth from Newcastle.

It remains possible that Ten Hag wins over those upstairs at the club with victory in the FA Cup - United have been drawn at home to rivals Liverpool in the quarter-finals - and if they are somehow able to secure qualification to the Champions League amid the tough task of trying to leapfrog Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the table.

The Mail back up a report from the Manchester Evening News that players are concerned over the intensity of training sessions as well as 'the hard-line approach' from Ten Hag and his lead assistant Mitchell van der Gaag, with some disgruntled they were not given an extra day off day off after their recent win at Luton.

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