Manchester United‘s decision to offer Erik ten Hag just a one-year contract extension is a clear sign they’re “not backing” their manager, according to talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy.
Cundy, who played for Spurs and Chelsea before a career in broadcasting, has been critical of United‘s poor start under Ten Hag in the 2024/25 season. He believes the Dutchman is on borrowed time at Old Trafford, tipping Ten Hag’s new right-hand man and United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy as the likely next boss.
United chief’s decided to stick with Ten Hag following last season’s dismal run, which saw the club’s worst ever Premier League finish of eighth place. However, an FA Cup final win against Manchester City earned him an extra year on his deal this July.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk showed what he’s all about with angry reaction to Erling Haaland question
READ MORE: ‘Barclaysman’ cult hero XI – from Gamst Pedersen to Dimitar Berbatov and their soundtrack
Despite splashing more than £150million on five major signings to bolster Ten Hag’s squad, United’s shaky start – losing two out of three Premier League games including a 3-0 hammering by arch-rivals Liverpool – has thrown Ten Hag’s future into question yet again.
talkSPORT host Cundy warned that a loss to Southampton on Saturday (12.30 pm) could spell the end for Ten Hag. He argued the United’s board have shown a lack of faith by only adding a year to his contract and having Van Nistelrooy ready to step in, reports the Mirror.
Will Ten Hag last the season? Have your say in the comments section below
Cundy said: “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 done the sniff test, there’s no one out there we like the smell of, we’re going to stick with this stink’. They basically feel right now it’s better the devil you know.”
He added: “The problem Ten Hag has is that he’s in a right hole now. He hasn’t been backed by the owners. That’s one of the worst efforts at backing a manager – giving him a one-year extension. [On bringing in the players Ten Hag wanted] that’s backing the project, not him. Give him a three-year contract!
“If you’re really backing the manager, say to him ‘I really believe in you, let’s do this now, let’s do another three on top of one year and give you four years’. They’re sitting there going, ‘There’s nothing out there that we fancy right now, we’ll bring in Van Nistelrooy in to help.'”
(Image: Getty Images)
He concluded: “It’s clear as day how this is going to end up. Ten Hag knows it, Sir Jim Ratcliffe knows it, the players know it, Van Nistelrooy knows it. It’s just a matter of when.”
Ten Hag took over as Manchester United boss in April 2022 following the departure of Ralf Rangnick. Since his arrival in Manchester, he has managed to secure Champions League qualification in his first season and enjoyed FA Cup and Carabao Cup triumphs.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, was at the helm of PSV Eindhoven from March 2022 until the close of the 2022/23 season, stepping down with just one game left due to insufficient backing within the club. The ex-striker, who netted 150 goals for United during his five-year tenure, penned a two-year contract to serve as Ten Hag’s right-hand man in July.