Man Utd news: Jim Ratcliffe blamed for crisis as Sir Alex Ferguson snubs Red Devils

Erik ten Hag remains under serious pressure following Manchester United’s dramatic draw with Porto in the Europa League on Thursday and desperately needs a result against Aston Villa at the weekend

Manchester United did under-fire boss Erik ten Hag no favours at all this week.

After being told he needs results in both games against Porto and Aston Villa, the Red Devils got off to the worst possible start in Portugal. After going 2-0 up, United collapsed and found themselves behind heading into stoppage time.

Former captain Harry Maguire rescued Ten Hag and his side with a late header to snatch a point. The pressure remains on ahead of this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa.

The Red Devils travel to the Midlands on Sunday in desperate need of a win. Take a look at all of the headlines coming out of Old Trafford ahead of that game:

Carragher blames Ratcliffe

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to keep Erik ten Hag in the summer has been the trigger for United’s troubles this season. "If Manchester United fail to massively improve this season, the ultimate responsibility lies with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos," Carragher wrote for The Telegraph.

"The latest mess is on their watch, with United already struggling to convince they are equipped to qualify for next year’s Champions League. There is no point sugar-coating it.

“The new United hierarchy have made a deeply unimpressive start to their Old Trafford reign with one of their worst decisions being the most important any board can make. Above all, you must ensure you have the right manager. Retaining Ten Hag is proving the catalyst for another wasted campaign and possibly another £200 million down the drain."

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

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Sir Alex snubs Red Devils

Amid his former club’s ongoing issues, Sir Alex Ferguson chose NOT to watch United in action against Porto on Thursday. The legendary boss decided to attend Rangers’ Europa League showdown with Lyon instead.

The Scottish side did not fare particularly well in France as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat. Despite that, he was still keeping tabs on the game.

Video footage showed him telling fellow attendees the score between United and Porto, just after Maguire had forced home his late equaliser.

Rashford theory suggested

Erik ten Hag potentially decided to substitute Marcus Rashford vs Porto after a heated dressing room exchange, Don Hutchinson has suggested. He said: “I’m not buying it.

“I’ve been in dressing rooms at half-time, full-time and before games and it’s one of those where Erik ten Hag – and I’m not questioning him, because he knows his players and what’s gone on – I’m surmising from an ex-players’ point of view.”

Hutchinson added: “But while the game’s in the balance at 2-2 in a big game, I don’t buy rotation, so I wonder if there’s been some sort of conflict or argument at half-time. That can happen. That’s what I’d be leaning towards. I could be wrong, but that’s what I’m leaning towards.”

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