ERIK TEN HAG ignored advice to leave Manchester United, it has been claimed.
Ten Hag, 54, stood defiant following the FA Cup final win over Manchester City last season amid a whirlwind of speculation suggesting he would be sacked after a poor season in the league.
The Dutchman was eventually handed a contract extension in July, but is now facing the chop after just seven league games this season – with the seventh to be played against Aston Villa tomorrow.
Reports have revealed that United chiefs are set to meet in London on Tuesday, 48 hours after the team face Villa.
That meeting could conclude that Ten Hag should be relieved of his duties at Old Trafford, a feeling given particular weight after Ratcliffe failed to publicly back the manager.
However, Ten Hag was apparently advised to walk before he was pushed.
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Leon ten Voorde, a journalist who has been friends with Ten Hag for more than 40 years and still works with their hometown club Bon Boys, revealed on the De Ballen Verstand podcast: “I advised him to leave last summer.
“He won the FA Cup, so you leave through the front door.
“He’s had a lot of injuries this past year.
“But then trainers think: ‘I can turn things around’.”
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He added: “How long does United think this can go on?
“That question is now hanging over United and Ten Hag again.
“In general, he is calm and relaxed.
“But I can’t imagine that this leaves you completely unaffected.”
Man Utd ratings vs Porto
MAN UTD ended up with a 3-3 draw after throwing away a 2-0 lead away to Porto.
Here’s how SunSport’s Dylan Terry rated the Red Devils’ stars performances in Portugal
Andre Onana – 6/10
Reacted brilliantly the first time he was called into action with a flying save, only for Porto to score the rebound.
Porto then scored with their next shot on target too – Omorodion’s header – and Onana could do little about the excellent finish for Porto’s third.
Made two great stops to keep Man Utd in the game.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Looked fairly stable in the first 45 minutes but waned as the game went on.
All at sea at the start of the second half as Porto cut through the right-hand side of Man Utd’s defence with ease.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Looked imposing in the air as he dealt with Porto’s crosses from both sides, but then failed to get in front of Omorodion for the hosts’ second goal.
Like most of the Man Utd side, his performance dropped as the game went on and he was bullied by Porto’s No9.
Lisandro Martinez – 4
Should have reacted quicker for the first Porto goal as Pepe got ahead of him to nod into an empty net – with Martinez static on the six-yard box.
There is clearly not much of a partnership with De Ligt as Porto pulled them apart all evening.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Porto enjoyed a lot of success down Man Utd’s left-hand side and Dalot looked all at sea on several occasions.
Had little help from Martinez but still looked exposed.
Casemiro – 3
Anonymous yet again in Man Utd’s midfield – the ball just passes him by.
Could not even manage one of his customary fouls.
Christian Eriksen – 5
Looked leggy out of possession but produced an impressive run before laying it off to Hojlund for Man Utd’s second goal.
Then failed to make much more of an impact and his delivery from wide areas left a lot to be desired.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
A damning indictment of Man Utd’s current predicament as Fernandes was shown a red card for a second successive game.
Two high boots, two yellow cards, and another early bath for the Portuguese playmaker – who had worked tirelessly prior to his dismissal.
Amad Diallo – 5
Very quiet aside from one burst through the middle as Rashford received all of the ball over the other side.
Replaced by Antony who arguably created even less.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7
Made his case for starting ahead of Joshua Zirkzee with a goal, firing beyond Costa at the near post.
Held it up and then showed his strength and pace to run at Porto before the break – showing little rustiness in his first start of the season.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Rashford showed his directness for the opening goal, driving at the Porto back line and forcing the error from Costa.
A constant threat in the first half as he assisted Hojlund’s strike.
But he was then surprisingly hooked at the break, a decision that will need an explanation from Ten Hag.
See how the Man Utd subs rated here
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk