Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag linked with shock move back to former club - Reports

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could be reportedly back to his old club Ajax next season.

The Dutchman has struggled in his sophomore season after an impressive debut campaign. After leading the side to a third-place finish, EFL Cup triumph and FA Cup final, Ten Hag's side have massively underwhelmed.

They finished bottom of their UEFA Champions League group to bow out of Europe, while their EFL Cup title defence ended early. In the league, a top-four finish is all but out of reach, with fourth-placed Aston Villa by 13 points, with a game in hand.

With new minority owners INEOS looking to make wholesale changes, Ten Hag's position is under threat. GOAL (as per The Standard) has now reported that the Dutchman is on Ajax's shortlist, with John van't Schip expected to leave at the end of the season.

Ten Hag is not the only option the Eredivisie giants are scouting, though, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Nice's Francesco Farioli also on their shortlist.

It's pertinent that since Ten Hag's departure in the summer of 2022 to Old Trafford, Ajax have struggled, currently languishing a whopping 35 points off runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven.

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What's next for Manchester United?

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag

As mentioned earlier, Manchester United are in the midst of a hugely underwhelming campaign. Their 4-2 midweek league win over Sheffield United at home snapped a four-game winless run in the competition as they seek to finish in the top-six.

Up next, the Red Devils face Burnley at home in the Premier League on Saturday (April 27). The reverse fixture in September ended 1-0 for United, whose captain Bruno Fernandes scoring a 45th-minute winner.

Despite their largely forgettable campaign, the Red Devils could still end it with silverware, as they take on holders Manchester City in a repeat FA Cup final from last year on May 25.

It's pertinent to note that the Red Devils made heavy weather of Championship side Coventry City in the semifinals, squandering a three-goal lead before scraping through 4-2 on penalties.