Manchester United sent Erik ten Hag future message by Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant

Rene Meulensteen has urged Manchester United to provide clarity - sooner rather than later - over whether Erik ten Hag will continue as their manager next season. Speculation over the Dutchman, 52, has returned to the fore amid what has been a challenging campaign at Old Trafford and beyond.

Investment from INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was rubber-stamped by the Premier League this month and there have already been several key changes behind the scenes. The Manchester Evening News understands Ratcliffe, 71, is not entirely sold on keeping Ten Hag following an underwhelming few months.

Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant - Meulensteen - stopped short of saying Ten Hag should be sacked or stay put. However, the 59-year-old - who enjoyed two spells at Old Trafford himself - reckons that a final call will have to be made before the transfer window reopens.

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During his latest appearance on ever-popular radio station talkSPORT, Meulensteen said: "What I think is going to happen is something different to what I think needs to happen.

"The key is clarity and transparency, as people need to know as soon as possible what direction they are going to head into, whether they are going to stick with Ten Hag or maybe change. At the end of the day, that needs to be clear for everybody, because there have been a lot of talks about people coming in.

"That part [behind the scenes] is very, very clear. Now what are we going to do with the manager?

"For me, they have to make sure there is clarity before not too long, because that might eat into another transfer window and, as we know, over these last few years Manchester