Former Barcelona boss emerges as candidate to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United - Reports

Manchester United have reportedly held talks with former Barcelona manager Xavi to take over at the club if Erik ten Hag gets the sack. The Red Devils are said to be sounding out possible replacements should they part ways with the Dutchman.

As per a report in the Daily Mail, Xavi is seen as one of the managers who can take over from Ten Hag. The Spaniard is without a job after Barcelona sacked him at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Xavi has been linked with the Qatar national team job, but the Spaniard has not signed a deal yet. The 44-year-old is said to be keeping his options open but is not the only one in the running for the Old Trafford job.

Ruben Amorim, Edin Terzic, and Massimiliano Allegri have also been linked with the job, while Graham Potter is also said to be in the race. Thomas Tuchel was also linked, but the German has been snapped up by the England national team.

Despite rumors of a possible sack, Ten Hag has insisted that he has the support from the Manchester United board. He said earlier in October (via MSN):

"No, the noise is only coming from the media, from some of you, not all of you, creating stories and fairytales, bringing lies because I know we're on one page within this club. I said before the [international] break but several journalists probably didn't believe me. Within the club, it's quiet."

Manchester United defeated Brentford last week in the Premier League but are still 10th in the table. They are next in action in the Europa League, where they will face Fenerbahce on Thursday, October 24.

Fabrizio Romano provides update on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future

Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Manchester United board did not discuss a possible sacking with Erik ten Hag. He reports that the Red Devils still have faith in the manager.

He said:

"Ten Hag didn't receive any formal communication from the Man Utd board telling him he could continue in the job. Man Utd board never felt they had to tell the manager anything. They discussed the situation, the problems they have at the club, and the slow start in the Premier League and Europa League but they never had to tell something directly to Ten Hag.

"The club insists that he was never really close to getting fired this week or the last. So, this is the feeling- they have problems, and they are discussing the position of Ten Hag for sure, but was never something close to being resolved in recent days. This is why Erik ten Hag has always been focused on the Brentford game to improve the situation in terms of results and performances."

Manchester United face West Ham United, Chelsea and Leicester City in their next three Premier League matches this season. The Red Devils also face Leicester City later this month in the Carabao Cup.