Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Erik ten Hag warned about decision Man Utd have already made despite Fulham win
EXCLUSIVE - One Man Utd decision that could put Erik ten Hag under threat has raised eyebrows.
Erik ten Hag has been warned about Manchester United's decision to appoint Ruud van Nistelrooy to his backroom staff this summer amid pressure to deliver in his third season as manager. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has backed Ten Hag in the transfer window, splashing around £155million on new signings.
Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have bolstered the Dutchman's options, with one or two further arrivals expected before the August 30 deadline.
But United's decision to trigger the 12-month extension in Ten Hag's contract until 2026 rather than handing him fresh terms raised questions about their long-term commitment.
Ratcliffe has overseen ruthless change throughout the club since completing his £1.3billion purchase of a minority stake in February.
United have a new chief executive, sporting director, technical director and head of recruitment, while as many as 250 staff members have reportedly lost their jobs.
The sweeping switches have extended to Ten Hag's coaching staff. Mitchell van der Gaag, Steve McClaren, Benni McCarthy and Richard Hartis all departed Old Trafford ahead of the season.
Rene Hake, Andreas Georgson and Jelle ten Rouwelaar are three of the four chosen replacements. However, the identity of the fourth - Van Nistelrooy - unsurprisingly gained the most traction.
The 48-year-old club icon - who scored 150 goals in 219 games during his United career - was a shock returnee after making a name for himself in management at PSV Eindhoven.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
But with the excitement surrounding his Old Trafford return comes scepticism about United's true plan while the jury is firmly still out on Ten Hag.
Gabby Agbonlahor is among those who believe INEOS could be positioning Van Nistelrooy to become an internal replacement should Ten Hag's struggles continue this term.
"I've said this [Van Nistelrooy could replace Ten Hag], and I got a lot of stick off Manchester United fans saying that I'm being negative already," Agbonlahor told Express Sport on behalf of AceOdds.
"But I just don't see Van Nistelrooy - being so early in his managerial career at PSV and having a season as a manager - coming to Manchester United to just be a number two for the long term.
"He saw the history of Manchester United with Solskjaer, with Carrick. He knows that after 10 to 15 games, if Manchester United are in really poor form, it's an easy option then for the Manchester United hierarchy to say, okay, Ten Hag is gone, and Van Nistelrooy, you come and take the team to the end of the season.
"We know Manchester United are really focused on not rushing into bringing in a new manager. It just makes sense.
"So, I think it's a clever appointment from Manchester United. But if I was Ten Hag, I'd be looking over my shoulder."
United started their Premier League season with a 1-0 victory against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday night. They will travel to Brighton and Hove Albion next Saturday before hosting bitter rivals Liverpool.