Kieran McKenna breaks silence on Manchester United links amid Erik ten Hag speculation

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with the management position at Manchester United, saying his focus is on matters at Portman Road.

The 38-year-old has caught the eye with the job he has done with the Tractor Boys since taking over the role in December 2021. In that time, he has led the club from League One to back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that he is now being linked to other roles, including at Old Trafford, amid uncertainty over the future of Erik ten Hag. If United do decide to make a change, they could have competition from Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea for McKenna, with both clubs now searching for new managers.

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United could potentially have an advantage over their rivals, with McKenna spending five-and-a-half years working in the coaching set-up at the club. He managed the U18s between 2016 and 2018 before being promoted to first-team assistant manager under Jose Mourinho.

He also worked in the role under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick before taking the Ipswich job. The work he has done in Suffolk has been recognised this season, with McKenna being awarded the LMA manager of the season award. It was at that ceremony that he was asked about his future.

“Look, the club has had such a positive season and has such a positive future ahead,” he told Sky Sports. “We’ve achieved so much, it’s been an incredible two years.

“When you have success like that there always comes speculation and things like that,