Erik ten Hag handed Man Utd warning as Sir Jim Ratcliffe concerns become clear – Footymercato.com

Manchester United are running out of time to secure qualification after suffering another setback over the weekend.

United thought they had snatched victory at Brentford when Mason Mount opened his account for the club in second-half stoppage-time. It wasn’t to be, though, with Kristoffer Ajer delivering an even later equaliser for the Bees.

Results elsewhere mean Erik ten Hag’s team ended the weekend 11 points adrift of fourth spot, albeit with a game in hand. Fourth-placed Aston Villa and fifth-placed Tottenham were both victorious, though Spurs’ win against Luton wasn’t without its nervy moments.

United are back in action against Chelsea on Thursday, with their top four rivals in action earlier in the week. Here, Mirror Football has the latest lines from around Old Trafford.

Ten Hag told he’s in big trouble

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has fired a warning to Erik ten Hag after the weekend’s action. It wasn’t just the result at Brentford which worried Neville, but also the performance, especially with a game against Liverpool on the horizon.

“Just worrying signs really that you can get to that level of low in a performance,” the former England international said on The Gary Neville Podcast. “You think back to before the international break and where Manchester United were at. They had one of the most incredible moments and should be absolutely bouncing into Brentford.

“But then we saw what we saw. They won’t be that bad next week, they can’t be that bad. But if Liverpool do their jobs next week then Manchester United are going to be in a lot of trouble. There will be something different, it can’t get any worse.”

Two United performances worrying Ratcliffe

United’s draw at Brentford is one of two recent displays to have concerned part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he decides whether or not to persist with Ten Hag. There have been positives this season, but also plenty of negatives for the former Ajax boss.

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According to The Telegraph, the performance in West London hasn’t gone down too well with Ratcliffe. It follows similar concerns after the home defeat to Fulham, where United scored a late equaliser but then conceded a stoppage-time winner to Alex Iwobi.

Ten Hag is understood to be safe until the end of the season, having rebounded somewhat from a horror start to the season. A number of alternatives to the Dutchman have been considered, though, including England boss Gareth Southgate.

Neville and Keane make feelings clear on title race

Gary Neville joked that things had gone “from bad to worse” after seeing Liverpool become title favourites. The Sky Sports pundit learned Jurgen Klopp’s side were frontrunners according to a supercomputer, having moved top over the weekend.

“Liverpool, as of today’s results I’d have them favourites, then I’d have Arsenal second favourites,” Keane said. “With their goal difference. City have got injuries, Champions League coming up. Same for Arsenal, so I think Liverpool. I see them as favourites.”

Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott was also on punditry duty and, while he felt his old club are in good shape, recognised European distractions could play a part. “The Champions League is going to be very crucial, in terms of what sort of team he’s going to put out and how focused they will be,” he said. “City have got a better run-in if you look at the fixtures, but if you end up beating City this year you deserve to win this league. They can’t afford to lose to lesser teams.”

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