****

Manchester United's key decision-makers are set to assemble in London within 48 hours following their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday, as the scrutiny on current manager Erik ten Hag intensifies. The club’s executive committee has its regular monthly meeting slated for Tuesday, which will see the convergence of key figures including part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox. Also set to attend is United co-chairman Joel Glazer, who is traveling from the United States to be present.

The agenda for this high-stakes gathering remains unspecified, but given United's recent form, it's uncertain if Ten Hag's performance will be a primary focus. Ratcliffe, who witnessed United's heavy defeat to Liverpool, will be in attendance at Villa Park to evaluate the team's progress firsthand. His role, alongside Glazer and Brailsford, is pivotal in any future decisions regarding Ten Hag's tenure.

Currently, Ten Hag finds himself in a precarious position. United sits 12th in the Premier League and has struggled offensively, netting just five goals. Their Europa League journey has also started on a shaky note, with no wins from their first two matches. To reassure both fans and the club's hierarchy, an immediate improvement is imperative when they face Aston Villa.

This isn't the first time Ten Hag's job security has been in question. Near the end of last season, United contemplated replacing him, even engaging with potential candidates during a comprehensive review. However, an unexpected FA Cup final victory against Manchester City saw the club extend Ten Hag's contract until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Backing their manager in the transfer market, United signed several of Ten Hag's former players from Ajax, including Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich, along with other strategic additions. Furthermore, Ten Hag restructured his coaching team, bringing in notable names like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake, and Andreas Georgson.

Despite the public support from Berrada and Ashworth on September 1, United's performance since has been less than stellar. They have only managed wins against Southampton in the Premier League and Barnsley in the FA Cup, while suffering heavy defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham.

While Ratcliffe enjoys success with INEOS Britannia in the America's Cup, the pressure mounts on Ten Hag to deliver positive results for United. As the executive meeting approaches, the need for "sensible decisions" as stated by Ratcliffe becomes ever more apparent. Consequently, the forthcoming days could be critical in determining Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford.