By Alan Hutton

29th Oct, 2023 | 8:00pm

Pundit drops Ten Hag sack claim after 'hearing Man United whispers'

Erik ten Hag is safe from the Man United sack for now but the “whispers” about his position are intensifying.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton suggested Ten Hag’s efforts last season will earn him more time as United boss.

The Red Devils manager has come under intense pressure in recent weeks after a poor start to the 2023-24 campaign, and that was compounded by Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Man City.

The narrow Champions League win over Copenhagen partially eased some of the pressure but it has been reported that United are eyeing up potential replacements, particularly if Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes over footballing operations.

According to The Sun (21 October), Graham Potter is in the running to replace the Dutchman should Ratcliffe choose to get rid of Ten Hag.

Ratcliffe has agreed a deal to buy a 25 per cent share of the club that would see him take over the football side of the club and could look to make drastic changes.

But Hutton insisted Ten Hag has done enough to earn more time in the United job even though United lost their fifth Premier League match of the season on Sunday to end the weekend in eighth, 11 points behind surprise leaders Tottenham.

“You just have to look at what he did last season,” he told Football Insider.

“It might not be amazing for all Man United fans and what they used to be doing in the past but it is where they are at this moment in time, they are building something from the ground up and that takes time.

“I think they have spent a lot of money and some of the signings have not worked out as yet but the whispers I am hearing always go around big clubs, especially when it is a takeover. Sometimes it is just rumours.

“If results take a drastic turn and they end up falling out the European spots then they might look to change it.

“He is not that long in the door so I think he will be given time but as we know at big clubs it can be difficult if you are not winning games. I think at this moment in time he is in an alright position.“

In other news, Kieran Maguire can’t believe Man United takeover twist – ‘there’s a huge downside’.