Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Jamie Carragher, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Premier League
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has named the one 'red flag' that could cost Erik ten Hag his job as manager of Manchester United.
United are now nine points off the top four places in the Premier League after 20 games played, having lost four of their last seven league matches.
Pressure has been piling up on Ten Hag, with focus now turning to Sunday's clash against Tottenham at Old Trafford - a game which, if United lose, will put them 10 points off the top four.
There are plenty of changes off the pitch as well, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreeing a deal that will, once ratified, see him take a 25 per cent share in the club and oversee footballing operations.
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The British billionaire is scheduled to attend Old Trafford for the first time as a prospective minority owner of United, with his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford having been previously spotted during the home game against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Ratcliffe and Brailsford will form part of a three-man football 'committee', with Joel Glazer joining that trio to assess on-pitch performances.
And, writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher believes that could eventually signal bad news for Ten Hag.
He explained: "There are red flags for Ten Hag immediately because, until now, the Glazers have been a shield for underperforming United coaches.
"Until now, Ten Hag has been afforded the same power as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, especially with regards to transfers.
"Guardiola and Klopp earned that through their success. Ten Hag has it because no-one has been around with the kudos and authority to say no.
"As United plan ahead for next season, recruitment responsibilities will no longer be primarily his. That will create a new dynamic ... Well-run clubs will establish that the coach is comfortable with this arrangement during the appointment process.
"Ten Hag is now in a situation where he will have no choice but to adapt to the changes that are afoot, especially when United finally appoint a director of football."
