Man Utd board decision shows 'they're not backing' Erik ten Hag as his replacement named

Pundit Jason Cundy thinks Erik ten Hag's days are numbered at Man Utd, believing Old Trafford bosses have not backed the Dutchman and that they've already identified his successor

The offer of a one-year contract extension to Erik ten Hag in the summer shows Manchester United are "not backing” their manager, claims talkSPORT presenter Jason Cundy.

Cundy, who scrutinised United’s dismal form under Ten Hag to start the 2024/25 season, stated the Dutchman’s days as Red Devils boss are already numbered. He went on to name Ten Hag’s recently-appointed assistant coach and former United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy as his obvious successor.

The new Old Trafford hierarchy took months to deliberate on whether they would stick with Ten Hag at the end of last season, after he oversaw the club's worst ever Premier League finish. An FA Cup final triumph over rivals Manchester City helped him secure a one-year extension on top of his existing one-year deal in July.

United bosses were also very active in the transfer window, making five big signings worth over £150million to bolster Ten Hag's options. But their poor start to the new season - two Premier League defeats in three matches - has seen Ten Hag’s position come under doubt once again.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham defender Cundy believes defeat to Southampton on Saturday would potentially mark the end of Ten Hag’s reign. And he backed up his argument by stating the United hierarchy will not stick with him as they have not backed him - shown by only giving him a one-year extension and having Van Nistelrooy waiting in the wings as an easy replacement.

Cundy said on talkSPORT: “They gave him one year added to one year. That is not backing the manager, that’s basically saying ‘We’ve had a look around, we’ve done the sniff test, there’s no one out there we like the smell of, we’re going to stick with this stink’. They basically feel right now it’s better the devil you know.”

He continued: “The problem Ten Hag has is that he’s in a right hole now. He hasn’t been backed by the owners. That’s one of the worst efforts at backing a manager - giving him a one-year extension. [On bringing in the players Ten Hag wanted] that’s backing the project, not him. Give him a three-year contract!

“If you’re really backing the manager, say to him ‘I really believe in you, let’s do this now, let’s do another three on top of one year and give you four years’. They’re sitting there going ‘there’s nothing out there that we fancy right now, we’ll bring in Van Nistelrooy in to help.’

“Everyone knows how this is going to end. Ten Hag knows it, Sir Jim Ratcliffe knows it, the players know it, Van Nistelrooy knows it. It’s just a question of when.”

Ten Hag was confirmed as United manager in April 2022 as the successor to Ralf Rangnick. Since taking charge that summer, he secured Champions League qualification in his first campaign and has won two trophies.

Van Nistelrooy, 48, managed PSV Eindhoven from March 2022 until the end of the 2022/23 season, resigning with one match left of the campaign due to a lack of support within the club. The former striker, who scored 150 goals for United over a five-year spell, signed a two-year deal to become Ten Hag’s assistant in July.

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