Man Utd step up Xavi chase: Discussions are CURRENTLY taking place

Robin Bairner

• 28 Oct 2024 11:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have made former Barcelona head coach Xavi their primary target to replace embattled manager Erik ten Hag, with talks having already been opened with the Spaniard.

Ten Hag has been on the brink for months and suffered another major blow to his hopes of retaining the job on a long-term basis as United were defeated 2-1 by West Ham at the weekend.

Xavi has emerged as the frontrunner to replace him, with Omar Berrada, Man Utd’s CEO, spearheading the race for the ex-Blaugrana boss

Sky Sports reports: “Discussions are currently taking place between the two men to examine the possibility of him joining in the coming weeks.

“Well aware that he will not solve the problem alone, the Catalan has expressly asked to be assisted by well-known former Old Trafford players, without any tangible names having been confirmed by us to date...”

Xavi’s wife has fuelled the suggestion that he could wind up at Old Trafford as she posted an image of the couple’s son on Instagram wearing a Man Utd shirt.

Ten Hag’s last chance

Gary Neville believes that Chelsea might hammer the final nail into Ten Hag’s career at the Red Devils last weekend.

Discussing the situation on the Gary Neville Podcast, he said: “I don't think there can be another defeat next Sunday at Old Trafford. I genuinely don't.

“I think it's getting to that point now where there is a real worry. I'm worried because the results, the lack of goals, the lack of performances, it's stacking up week after week after week, and there will be some sort of reasons given [on Sunday] - I'm not going to say excuses - but reasons given around missing chances. But they keep missing chances. These are the players that have been recruited over the last couple of seasons mainly.

“It's getting to that point where it'll become unbearable, the pressure in this next week or two around Erik ten Hag.

“Just purely the position in the league, they are 14th. Manchester United… I mean, it's Manchester United. He can't be 14th in the league. He can be after one or two games, maybe, but not after nine, not after 10.”