Exclusive: Erik Ten Hag on the brink as Man United push ahead with replacement talks

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TBR Football understands that Manchester United are ready to part company with Erik Ten Hag and they have been talking to potential successors in recent weeks.

United's loss to West Ham United on Sunday was just the latest poor result in what is already turning out to be one of their worst seasons in living memory.

United have won just one of their last eight games, and have won only seven victories to show from 23 Premier League appearances. Add to that their dismal displays in Europe, where they have just one victory in 11 games, many within the club are now accepting that a change is coming.

Indeed, a source with knowledge of the situation has told TBR Football that the feeling within Old Trafford is 'when is ten Hag going to leave, rather than if'.

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Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Frank again linked to Man Utd

TBR Football can reveal that up to three candidates have been spoken to by senior United officials in recent weeks, with sporting director Dan Ashworth the man with the final say.

We are told that United are not looking to go with a long-term interim appointment to succeed Ten Hag, and despite having to pay him off – they will, if needed, pay compensation to land their new boss.

One name that United did look at before deciding to hand Ten Hag a new deal ahead of this season, was Germany boss Julian Naglesmann and TBR Football is told that he is once again under consideration.

Brentford's Thomas Frank is also known to be one manager held in very high regard and he was another spoken to in the summer, along with the likes of Thomas Tuchel – who has since agreed to take charge of England.

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Sources have told TBR Football that United are big admirers of the likes of Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorin, but neither of those are believed to be looking to leave mid-season having previously made commitments to Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting Lisbon respectively, to see out the current campaign.

United have been offered a host of names in recent weeks with the likes of Inter Milan's Simone Inzaghi, Newcastle's Eddie Howe and former Barcelona head coach Xavi all linked, as it is clear that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are not short of options.

Tottenham defeat was turning point for Old Trafford hierarchy

TBR Football understands that their 3-0 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur in September was the tipping point for United's hierarchy.

Sources have confirmed to us that the loss to Spurs was seen as totally unacceptable and work has been done by the club's football department to find a successor.

United currently sit 14^th in the Premier League table and Man United legend Gary Neville believes ten Hag is facing a situation he can’t recover from and this weekend’s clash with Chelsea could very well be his final game.

“Erik ten Hag is asking for trouble. He’s 14th in the league nine games in, and nine games is nearly 25 per cent of the season gone,” he said on Sky Sports ahead of his commentary on Arsenal draw with Liverpool.

“They are 14th, they’ve spent a fortune. I was quite clear at the end of last season that if they’re in that same position in the league after the first few months there will be a lot of questions being asked.

“They’ve got a game in midweek but it will all come down to next weekend’s game against Chelsea. 

“I don’t think there can be another defeat next weekend at Old Trafford. It’s getting to that point where there is a real worry, I’m worried. The results, the lack of goals, lack of performances are stacking up week after week.

“These are the players that have been recruited over the last couple of seasons mainly. It’s a sobering time. It’s getting to the point whereby it will become unbearable the pressure in the next week or two around Ten Hag purely because of the position in the league. 

“They’re 14th. You can’t be 14th in the league after nine games.”