An unnamed Manchester United player has suggested that Erik ten Hag will lose his job at the end of the season, according to ex-Liverpool man Jason McAteer.
Ten Hag is believed to be treading a fine line owing to the Red Devils' underwhelming Premier League and Champions League runs this season, in stark contrast to his debut campaign.
Last term, the Dutchman led the Red Devils to third place in the Premier League, EFL Cup glory and an FA Cup runners-up medal, but their European Cup journey ended with a humbling group-stage exit this time around.
Ten Hag's side will not be present in the revamped 2024-25 edition, and they are outsiders when it comes to even making the Europa League or Europa Conference League via their league position, occupying eighth place after Wednesday's 3-2 win over Newcastle United.
However, beating Manchester City in a repeat of last season's FA Cup final will punch their ticket to the 2024-25 Europa League, although Ten Hag is only believed to have a 50-50 chance of keeping his job.
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Man United player 'names ideal successor to Ten Hag'
Now, ex-Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder McAteer - speaking to beIN Sports - has claimed that he recently spoke with a Man United player, who hinted that Ten Hag would not still be in his post come the start of next season.
"He plays for Man United and I had a conversation with him on Friday, I bumped into him because I live just outside the area," the 52-year-old said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
"We got into conversation, great lad, and I asked him (the) end of the season and what he thought and he gave me no inclination that the manager was there to stay. In fact we spoke about different names and who we thought will be a good fit and I got no inclination from him."
McAteer subsequently revealed that neither Thomas Tuchel nor Jose Mourinho were the names under consideration, but upon asking the Man United player about Gareth Southgate, he replied: "Yes that was the name.
"Footballers have an inclination when the manager's job is on the line and they obviously know and I just got the feeling that it's done, it's done."
What is INEOS' current plan for Ten Hag?
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Whether McAteer's claims will come to fruition only time will tell, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe not publicly backing Ten Hag ever since completing his 27.7% purchase of the club has appeared ominous.
The INEOS cohort are expected to make a final call on Ten Hag's future after the FA Cup final, and while there have been no plans to sack him midway through the season, they have apparently devised an exit strategy to ensure a smooth parting of the ways if need be.
While a host of candidates have been linked with the Old Trafford role, Ratcliffe and co have been dealt blows in their chances of hiring one of their two of their top picks - Bayern Munich's Tuchel and England's Southgate.
Despite announcing that he would leave Bayern at the end of the season, Tuchel is now understood to be discussing a U-turn with Bayern bosses, who are pushing to keep him at the Allianz Arena.
Meanwhile, Southgate has also played down speculation about the Red Devils job ahead of Euro 2024, and Man United are therefore said to have turned their focus to a promotion-winning Championship boss.
