Manchester United have privately admitted that they are very keen to avoid sacking Erik ten Hag amid a dismal start to the season, according to reports. Sunday's 0-0 draw against Aston Villa left the Dutchman's future up in the air at the start of the October international break, but he could retain the club's faith for now.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended his second match of the campaign at Villa Park, perched alongside Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox and Sir Alex Ferguson in the directors' box.

United's hierarchy will meet in Manchester on Monday and London a day later, with co-chairman Joel Glazer expected to fly in from the United States to participate.

Ten Hag's future will undoubtedly be on the agenda while the Red Devils are slumped in 14th in the Premier League, having won just two of their opening seven games, scoring five goals.

Three of the club's 11 matches in all competitions have ended in victory - a Carabao Cup win against Barnsley adding to league triumphs over Fulham and Southampton.

United's latest collapse in European competition - winning just one of their last 10 such outings - at Porto on Thursday left them on two points from a possible six in the Europa League.

The Dutchman remains under severe external pressure, although he continues to insist that the view is different within the walls of Old Trafford.

And that might be the case. According to ESPN, United really don't want to part ways with Ten Hag months after backing him with £200million in the summer transfer window.

INEOS also triggered the one-year extension in his contract, pushing its expiry back to 2026 as part of his agreement to stay in charge.

Ratcliffe would now have to splash out a higher compensation package should he axe Ten Hag, thought to be around £15m.

The coaching pool from which United deemed there to be no better fit than the 54-year-old in the summer hasn't changed much since, either.

The M16 giants reportedly interviewed Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi, among others.

Tuchel would likely be the favourite to replace Ten Hag permanently, but the same issues that recently broke talks down will surely remain.

Ruud van Nistelrooy would be in prime position to succeed his compatriot on an interim basis, but would that trigger the change United need?

It would be a surprise if anyone other than Ten Hag wasn't at the helm when Brentford visit Old Trafford on October 19.