Asked to summarise the relationship between manager Erik ten Hag and Manchester United 's new leadership team ahead of the coming season, one club source put it very bluntly. "It's like in a marriage and someone's been unfaithful," they said. "Now they're back together and trying to make it work.
" The parallels are obvious. United's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team led by Sir Dave Brailsford made little secret of their doubts about Ten Hag towards the end of last season . It led to meetings with prospective new partners -- Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi among them -- before finally deciding to stick with the manager they had all along .
Ratcliffe and Brailsford have tried to create some sense of stability by extending the Dutchman's contract by an extra year which, in theory, keeps him at Old Trafford until 2026. But heading into the first game of the season against Manchester City in Saturday's Community Shield ( stream live on ESPN+, 9:50 a.m ET, U.
S. only ), there remains a feeling of uncertainty and plenty of unanswered questions. Are United closer to the team that finished eighth in the Premier League last season, or the one that beat City 2-1 in the FA Cup final? Can Ten Hag make the most of his second chance, and for how long are Ratcliffe and Brailsford prepared to stick with him? Editor's Picks Refreshing change: How Ten Hag rebuilt his backroom staff for a new start 8d Rob Dawson Ten Hag focused on future with Man United: 'I was never distracted fro.