Sir Alex Ferguson tipped to replace Ten Hag as Man Utd manager

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 15 Oct 2024 07:18 BST
• 3 min read

Sir Alex Ferguson has been tipped for a shock return to Manchester United at the age of 82 to replace the under-fire Erik ten Hag as manager.

Ten Hag is under severe pressure at Old Trafford despite surviving the sack during the current international break.

And former England and Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne has called on United to rehire managerial great Ferguson, who retired from football in 2013 having won a record 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues over 27 years at the club.

What did Gascoigne say?

"Looking at Ten Hag, I feel sorry for him a bit. I would love Alex Ferguson to take over just for one season and just see what he could do with those players because I think some of them take the p*** out of Ten Hag," Gascoigne told Sportscasting.

"You’ve got to give the man a bit of respect and it’s such a massive club, I don’t think some of the players realise who they’re playing for."

Ten Hag survived the much-anticipated executive summit held in London last week by Man United chiefs.

The United board held a six-hour meeting at INEOS’ offices in London where it was decided that no action would be taken to sack Ten Hag.

The meeting was chaired by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Ineos owner and United’s largest single minority shareholder. Also present were Ineos head of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, United CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, and technical director Jason Wilcox.

Ten Hag will be in charge for Man Utd’s next match against Brentford on Saturday at Old Trafford.

Man United currently find themselves languishing down in 14th position in the Premier League with a minus-three goal difference after seven games.

United have failed to win either of their Europa League games, drawing with Twente and Porto.

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A number of other manager have been waiting in the wings to replace Ten Hag, including former England manager Gareth Southgate, ex-Chelsea bosses Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is an internal choice after impressing the club since arriving as assistant manager.