Erik ten Hag warned to axe three Man Utd 'troublemakers' if he lands managers job

Erik ten Hag has been told to get rid of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire if he were to be appointed Manchester United 's new manager.

The Ajax boss is currently the favourite to replace Ralf Rangnick in the Old Trafford dugout, who is in charge until the end of the season on an interim basis. Ten Hag, having been interviewed by Red Devils chiefs, would then run his rule over the United squad and craft it to his liking. But while the 52-year-old is the frontrunner ahead of Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui, he has been warned to axe the three stars who have been labelled 'troublemakers'.

"He just needs to get rid of those troublemakers; Ronaldo, Pogba, Maguire," declared Rene van der Gijp, a former Netherlands international who now hosts Dutch chat show Vendaag Inside, which attracts 1.4 million viewers per night, amid speculation that Ten Hag had held 'positive' talks with the Red Devils.

Van der Gijp then suggested a better option to manage Ronaldo - someone who the United's No.7 has already worked with. "Ronaldo would get along fine with [Zinedine] Zidane," the ex- PSV winger added, with Zidane having managed Ronaldo while at Real Madrid "They are on the same level."

Ten Hag may not even have to shift Pogba out himself, with the midfielder's contract expiring in June and all signs pointing towards a departure on a free transfer. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has one year remaining on his deal and Maguire is still club captain, despite relentless criticism for his performances at centre-back this campaign.

Former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has questioned Maguire's long-term suitability for a top level team, admitting on his YouTube channel, Vibe with Five : "For all the good