Man Utd 'hold shock talks' with Xavi over replacing Erik ten Hag | OneFootball

Manchester United have contacted former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez on multiple occasions this season as Erik ten Hag's future remains uncertain, a report has claimed.

The Dutch coach oversaw United's worst-ever start to a Premier League season heading into the October international break, boasting only eight points from seven games. Ten Hag tentatively eased the pressure with a convincing victory over Brentford last weekend, but that hasn't stopped the club's hierarchy from exploring alternative managerial candidates.

United's chief executive Omar Berrada has led the talks with Xavi, according to the Daily Mail. The Premier League giants have met with the former Spain international at least twice since he left Barcelona in the summer.

Minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe also apparently met with Xavi while in Barcelona, but is not part of the four-person delegation which has repeatedly been in dialogue with the 44-year-old.

Xavi Hernandez was linked with a move to Manchester United during his playing career. / Eric Alonso/GettyImages

Xavi spent the best part of three seasons in charge of the club which he represented for 17 years during his trophy-laden playing career. After leading Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title, the beleaguered boss announced that he was stepping down in January 2024, calling his role "unpleasant" and "cruel".

Barcelona president Joan Laporta spent the subsequent four months openly asking Xavi to reconsider his position, eventually convincing his coach to stay in April only to then sack him at the end of disappointing, trophy-less campaign.

United have not limited their managerial search to Xavi. Sporting CP's highly rated coach Ruben Amorim has also been linked, although he is considered to be a leading target for Manchester City if they are to part ways with Pep Guardiola this summer.

Ten Hag vehemently responded to rumours of his impending exit at Manchester United last week, lambasting the whispers as "fairytales" and "lies".