Manchester United’s leadership has firmly thrown its support behind manager Erik ten Hag, a decision reinforced by recent public endorsements from key figures within the club’s hierarchy, even amid a challenging start to the Premier League season.
In a newly released interview conducted just hours before the Liverpool match, top officials from Ineos—the company heavily invested in Manchester United—voiced their confidence in Ten Hag’s abilities. These statements came from Manchester United’s Chief Executive Omar Berrada and Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, both of whom have underscored their belief in the Dutch manager despite the team’s underwhelming performance so far this season.
United’s performance in the opening games has been less than stellar, with the team managing only two goals across three matches and suffering two defeats. This has left them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table. Despite these setbacks, the club’s leadership remains unwavering in its support for Ten Hag.
**Omar Berrada on Erik ten Hag**
Omar Berrada, who was appointed by Ineos earlier this year and officially began his role in July, has emphasized that Erik ten Hag continues to have the club’s full backing. Speaking to ESPN, Berrada expressed confidence in the decision to extend Ten Hag’s contract, highlighting the close collaboration between the manager and the club during the transfer window.
“We’re extremely satisfied with the decision to renew Erik’s contract,” Berrada stated. “He has our complete support, and we have been working in tandem throughout this transfer window. Our commitment is to continue this close partnership to help him maximize the team’s potential.”
Berrada further reinforced the club’s faith in Ten Hag, saying, “Do we still have confidence in Erik? Absolutely. We believe he is the right coach for us, and we are backing him completely.”
**Dan Ashworth on Erik ten Hag**
Similarly, Dan Ashworth, who also took up his role in early July, has spoken positively about his experience working with Ten Hag. He emphasized his role in providing comprehensive support to the manager, ensuring that Ten Hag can focus on what matters most—preparing the team tactically and strategically.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks working alongside Erik,” Ashworth said. “My responsibility is to support him in every conceivable way—whether it’s operational tasks, recruitment, medical aspects, psychological support, or managing the flow of training sessions. My goal is to take as much off his plate as possible so he can concentrate fully on the training pitch and the match-day tactics necessary to bring success to Manchester United.”
**The Challenge Ahead for Erik ten Hag**
It’s important to note that the endorsements from Berrada and Ashworth were made before United’s disappointing defeat to Liverpool, and these comments were released following the match as part of a pre-agreed media plan. Ineos’ public support for Ten Hag is unlikely to waver after just one loss. Their statements indicate a strong commitment to maintaining stability and faith in Ten Hag’s leadership, regardless of the recent results.
Retaining Ten Hag over the summer was a significant decision, and the club’s leadership is not expected to reverse this course after just a few games or even ten matches into the season. However, the pressure is undoubtedly on Ten Hag as he enters his third season at Manchester United. Improvement on last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish is imperative.
Although Ten Hag rightly points to the two trophies he has secured as evidence of progress, Manchester United supporters are eager for consistent improvement, particularly in the Premier League. The opening three games of the season have been underwhelming, with the team struggling to find the back of the net and making costly defensive errors.
With 35 league games remaining and new signings yet to fully integrate into the squad—such as Manuel Ugarte, who has not played a minute since his deadline day arrival—there is still time for Ten Hag to turn things around. However, he must do so decisively to avoid putting Berrada and Ashworth in a position where they feel compelled to repeatedly affirm their support for him.
Should the need to defend the manager persist, it could eventually wear thin, even among the most patient supporters. While the upcoming fixtures may offer some respite for Ten Hag, the road ahead is filled with challenges that he must navigate successfully to retain the trust and backing of both the club’s leadership and its passionate fan base.
