Man United board 'not backing Erik ten Hag' with decision as possible replacement named

Jason Cundy thinks Manchester United's offer of a one-year extension to Erik ten Hag shows "they're not backing" the manager.

Cundy heavily scrutinised United’s poor run of form before stating Ten Hag’s days as Red Devils boss are numbered. The former Chelsea defender went on to claim that Ten Hag’s recently-appointed assistant coach and United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will be his successor.

The United hierarchy’s decision-making process dragged on for months at the end of last season before they reached a verdict to retain Ten Hag. Despite him overseeing the club’s lowest ever Premier League finish, an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City helped him secure a one-year extension to his existing one-year deal in July.

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Red Devils bosses also splashed out in the summer transfer window, bolstering Ten Hag’s squad with the addition of five new players worth close to £200million. However, a poor start to the new campaign, with two defeats from three Premier League fixtures, has thrown Ten Hag’s future into question again.

Cundy believes another defeat away at Southampton on Saturday would be the final straw, ensuring Ten Hag’s sacking. He supported his prediction by stating the United hierarchy will not stick with him as they have not backed him - as shown by only giving him a one-year extension and having Van Nistelrooy waiting in the wings as an easy replacement.

He 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