Erik ten Hag told to confront Sir Jim Ratcliffe as Man Utd chief called out

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been instructed to confront Sir Jim Ratcliffe and seek clarity over his future at Old Trafford.

Despite leading the club to FA Cup success in May, Ten Hag's position remains in a state of uncertainty as rumours continue to swirl that the club could make a change. Ratcliffe has yet to disclose the club's direction after finishing eighth in the Premier League, but Gordon Strachan finds it "staggering" that's the case at this stage of the summer.

The former Scotland and Celtic manager - who was crowned an FA Cup champion at United in 1985 - believes the club has had sufficient time to make a choice. Names like Mauricio Pochettino and England boss Gareth Southgate have been associated with the role in recent times, but Ten Hag remains employed a few days out from the summer transfer window opening for business.

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"I do find it staggering that his future hasn't been resolved yet," Strachan told Prime Casino (via The Mirror). "The FA Cup final was two weeks ago. Are Man United waiting for Dan Ashworth to come in and start making decisions? Surely that's not the case and surely he's having conversations with the club without being officially appointed to the role of Director of Football anyway.

"If the people running the club genuinely don't think that Erik ten Hag is good enough, then they need to tell him now because what's happening at the moment is unfair. I also think there's a point here where Erik ten Hag has to say, 'If you don't want me here if you don't think I'm good enough, then fire me.'"

Ten Hag, 54, appeared to be on the brink of leaving Old Trafford before a victory over rivals Manchester City secured United's first FA Cup in eight years. Despite rumours suggesting he'd be dismissed regardless of the outcome at Wembley, it seems that unexpected triumph has earned him at least a temporary reprieve.

Strachan, 67, commented on the conspicuous silence surrounding Ten Hag's future and the apparent lack of support he has received despite clinching major silverware against the odds. As time passes without an official decision, the Scot suggested it becomes increasingly obvious the manager doesn't have the full backing of the club.

"I'd find it very hard; very strange if Erik ten Hag is still managing the club next season," he explained. "To put this man through such mental anguish and then ask him to manage again. . .He knows that over the past two or three weeks, the people who run Manchester United are uncertain about whether they want him as the manager. There's no doubt about that. I don't think it's a secret that they've been speaking to potential replacements."

Thomas Tuchel - who was seemingly in contention for the role - is understood to have recently met with Ratcliffe before ruling himself out of the running. That narrows down United's search for a new manager, should they wish to appoint one, although even this remains uncertain.