Manchester United’s ownership situation needs a quicker resolution to bring greater clarity to Erik ten Hag’s position, numerous sources connected to the club have told BBC Sport.
Ten Hag admitted United were “in a bad place” but said he was “a fighter” – and club officials have attempted to play down speculation about his future.
United face a run of “must-win” games.
Saturday’s match at Fulham – opponents United have not lost to since 2009 – is followed by a Champions League trip to FC Copenhagen.
After starting their group campaign with successive defeats, United probably need a total of at least four points from that game and the 29 November encounter with Galatasaray in Istanbul to feel confident about advancing to the knockout stage.
The visit to Denmark is followed by a home match against Luton Town. The Hatters have only avoided defeat in an away game against United once in their history, in 1897.
Poor results in those games would bring United under intense pressure to make a managerial change, but that process may not be straightforward.
It is nearly a year since the Glazer family said they were considering selling the club as they “explore strategic alternatives”.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is aiming to secure a 25% stake in United but the deal is still to be completed.
Ratcliffe wants to assume control of the football operations side of United and would have a major say on any potential decision to replace Ten Hag.
But strict rules around the entire bid process would make it difficult for the Glazer family to consult Ratcliffe until a deal is finalised.
It is felt by many observers that United would benefit from the ownership situation being clarified, with most also feeling a fresh look at how Old Trafford operates by Ratcliffe would be a positive.
‘Ratcliffe would commit millions to stadium upgrade’
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe is willing to commit millions of pounds immediately for stadium infrastructure improvements if his planned deal to buy into the Old Trafford outfit is approved.
It is thought Ratcliffe will pay around £1.25bn to buy a quarter of the club but many fans, uneasy at the prospect of the Glazer family remaining in control, have questioned where the money will go and if any of it will be used to make badly-needed improvements to Old Trafford.
However, it has now become apparent that in addition to paying for a quarter stake in United, Ratcliffe would provide an additional sum, that would not be added to United’s current debt, for urgent work on the stadium.
It is accepted the sums involved would not cover all the work needed, which some have estimated will cost £1bn, but it is seen as a sign of Ratcliffe’s intentions for United.
We need to support the manager – Schmeichel
Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who was part of the Treble-winning side in 1999, thinks fans should get behind Ten Hag.
“We can talk about ownership of the football club, manager of the football club, but the people doing the job on the pitch are the most important one, they have to go out and fight,” the Dane told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
“Against Newcastle, you just wonder where those players are mentally. The minimum you can do is run and fight. It needs a change in mentality and approach to everything.
“This is the time where we stand united and we support the manager, we let him get through this period. We’ve never won the Premier League since Sir Alex [Ferguson] left. Some managers will claim they had big results, but they never developed the club or moved it forward, this is a result of that, that’s what we’re seeing now.
“If we love United, we have to come in behind him.”
