Man United legend among favourites to replace Ten Hag

Manchester United go into the international break 14th in the Premier League table, with just one win from their last six league games. 

Erik ten Hag once again finds himself under huge pressure at Old Trafford, just months after guiding the Red Devils to FA Cup glory.

Prior to victory over Manchester City in the final at Wembley, it had been widely reported that the Dutchman would be sacked.

That win appeared to have appeased the pressure on the former Ajax boss, but he is once again under pressure after his side’s dismal start to the campaign.

Now, it has emerged that one member of Ten Hag’s backroom staff is among the favourites to replace him if he does depart.

As per Football Insider, former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is ‘firmly in the running’ to replace Ten Hag as Manchester United manager.

The Dutchman is currently a member of Ten Hag’s coaching staff, and the report claims that he could be offered the managerial role on an interim basis if Ten Hag is dismissed.

Van Nistelrooy is currently on Ten Hag’s coaching staff

It is claimed that, if the club opt to select a temporary replacement, Van Nistelrooy is among the most likely options as he is considered by those in charge of the club to be ‘a safe pair of hands’.

It remains to be seen whether the former striker would want to take on the role on a permanent basis, but the report suggests that he could be tempted to accept the opportunity if it was offered to him.

Van Nistelrooy, 48, joined United from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2001 and went on to score a remarkable 150 goals in 219 games for the Red Devils.

He departed in 2006 to join Spanish giants Real Madrid, but he is still held in high regard by the Old Trafford faithful and that is said to be part of the reason why those in charge of the club would consider giving him the role.