Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Erik ten Hag if he is sacked at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag has survived as Manchester United manager despite leading the Red Devils to their worst-ever start in the Premier League this season.
Pressure ramped up on the Dutchman after the disappointing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham and it was claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave Ten Hag two games to turn things around.
Those two games were trips to Porto and Aston Villa, where Ten Hag led his side to back-to-back draws.
United’s hierarchy held an extensive meeting in London where Ten Hag’s future was supposedly a big talking point, but the two draws were enough for him to hold on to his job.
Ten Hag’s position remained under intense scrutiny but a 2-1 win against Brentford has helped to relieve some pressure.
Man United chiefs held talks with Xavi
At the height of United’s problems, there were as many as 10 potential replacements for Ten Hag.
Since then, though, the leading candidate Thomas Tuchel has become England manager, effectively ruling him out of the running. Gareth Southgate also ruled himself out after explaining he wants to take a break from management.
According to the Daily Mail, former Barcelona boss Xavi is now emerging as a potential candidate to replace Ten Hag if he is sacked.
They claim that contact has been made with Xavi twice in the last few months and that a four-man delegation led by CEO Omar Berrada flew out to Barcelona last Thursday.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also been in Barcelona recently as the British billionaire supports his Ineos Britannia sailing team.
Man United fans react to Xavi links
Old Trafford rallied behind Ten Hag and chanted his name after the comeback victory against Brentford.
Despite the poor start, it seems the United supporters are still backing the Dutchman to turn things around, and the reaction on social media suggests fans are not keen on Xavi taking his place in the Old Trafford hot seat.
One fan wrote: “Xavi would genuinely be a massive downgrade on Ten Hag. I get wanting change, but at least want someone better than our current manager.”
Another added: “I would prefer Ten Hag a million times…” while another supporter claimed: “Ten Hag is better than Xavi, Xavi would struggle in the Premier League, he would struggle at City as well.”
One supporter claimed that Xavi wouldn’t even last two years in the job – “He would be sacked within 18 months”.
Another pointed out that Xavi was recently sacked in Spain: “He was sacked at Barcelona for a certain reason”.
Finally, one fan pointed out that Ten Hag actually got the better of Xavi when their two sides last met, “Erik Schooled Xavi over 2 legs not too long ago.”
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