Ratcliffe flies in to watch Man United play Aston Villa, putting Ten Hag under intense pressure

BIRMINGHAM, England – Manchester United minority owner Jim Ratcliffe flew in to personally watch the team’s match against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, amid mounting pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

Ratcliffe takes his seat at Villa Park alongside United’s new management team, which includes chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox, sporting director Dan Ashworth and Dave Brailsford, a key figure at Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport.

Attending INEOS Britannia’s victory in Barcelona on Friday, which secured a place in the America’s Cup final, Ratcliffe gave an interview to the BBC there in which he did not admit to believing in Ten Hag.

Instead, the British billionaire, who bought a 27.7% stake in the 20-time English champions in February, said the decision on Ten Hag’s future rested with the director he appointed to run the club.

United started the match against Villa in 14th place in the 20-team Premier League after losing three of their first six matches.