The fate of Manchester United's manager Erik ten Hag is hanging by a thread as the club's executives prepare for a crucial meeting this Tuesday in London. With the team languishing in 14th place in the Premier League - their worst start in 35 years - discussions about Ten Hag's potential dismissal are heating up. The alarming statistics show that Manchester United is closer to the relegation zone than they are to the coveted top-four spots, prompting an urgent evaluation of the Dutchman’s future.

The executive committee includes notable figures such as minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and co-chairman Joel Glazer. Their decision-making will revolve around whether to continue backing Ten Hag or to make a significant change at the helm of the club.

Contrasting views are emerging from football pundits. Former United manager David Moyes has come to Ten Hag's defense, urging the club to give him more time. In a statement to BBC Sport, Moyes praised Ten Hag’s resolve and professionalism, emphasizing that the current situation does not reflect his capability. “I think he’s doing a brilliant job. He’s shown great resilience," Moyes stated, highlighting Ten Hag's steadfastness in facing media scrutiny.

Conversely, Jamie Carragher has painted a grimmer picture of Ten Hag's prospects. He warned that the manager's position could be precarious, suggesting he might not survive until the next international break unless results improve drastically. Carragher criticized the team’s performances, lamenting that recent successes often feel like flukes rather than a product of consistent quality.

With tension mounting, the upcoming executive meeting will assess Ten Hag’s performance and the team’s worrying statistics, particularly their goal-scoring woes, having netted only five times in seven games—ranking them just above relegation-threatened Southampton.

In addition to managerial discussions, there are rumors surrounding one of the club's summer signings, Joshua Zirkzee, who has struggled since joining from Bologna. Critics, including Paul Scholes, have not held back in their assessments of the forward’s underwhelming performances, while reports suggest Serie A clubs may be interested in acquiring him.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has publicly expressed his hope for Ten Hag to be granted more time to implement his vision, despite intense speculation about alternative managerial candidates, including Unai Emery and Xavi Hernandez.

As United gears up for a pivotal match against Brentford, Ten Hag remains confident in his position. He maintains open lines of communication with the club’s hierarchy and believes in the potential of his squad to turn their fortunes around. “We are all on board together,” he asserted after their recent draw with Aston Villa.

In the face of turmoil, Manchester United stands at a crossroads—will they continue with Ten Hag, or will they seek a new direction? Only time will tell if the club can navigate these troubled waters successfully.