Xavi Hernandez has emerged as a contender to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager after holding two rounds of talks with the club, according to reports. The former Barcelona boss has entered the frame, with Ten Hag still under severe pressure to improve results after a dismal start to the season.
United eased the ongoing scrutiny of the Dutchman by producing an encouraging performance in Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win against Brentford at Old Trafford.
But it was just the Red Devils’ fourth win in 12 matches this term and could only lift them to 12th in the Premier League table.
England’s appointment of Thomas Tuchel as Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor during the October international break removed a strongly-linked candidate from the running.
However, another one has emerged in Xavi, who has been out of work since leaving Barcelona at the end of last season, ending a three-year reign.
According to the Mail, intermediaries have contacted the 44-year-old twice in the last few months to sound out his interest in the role.
It’s claimed that United chief executive Omar Berrada led a four-person delegation that flew to Barcelona last Thursday.
Yet whether that was to meet Xavi about the prospect of the Spanish football legend replacing Ten Hag remains to be seen.
The report adds the club held multiple meetings in the Spanish city while part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was stationed there to support INEOS’ Britannia sailing team in the America’s Cup.
And United continue to publicly and privately insist that Ten Hag retains the football hierarchy’s backing to turn things around.
There is said to be a chance of Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic entering contention should the tides change.
However, Amorim is being heavily tipped to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City if the Catalan coach decides to walk away next summer.
For now, Ten Hag appears confident he will remain United’s manager for the remainder of the season. He never doubted he would be in the dugout for the Brentford match amid intense speculation.
But there will be an acceptance that results must improve on the back of the club’s lowest-ever Premier League finish last term.
A failure to qualify for Champions League football in a second successive season would be financially damaging.
Yet, Ten Hag’s two major trophies in as many years at Old Trafford have saved him so far. A third in May would surely spell a fourth year in the hot seat.
