Manchester United have been turning down requests to hold talks from agents who are trying to pitch clients to replace manager Erik ten Hag, according to ESPN.
The Dutchman has been under pressure in recent weeks following the Red Devils’ woeful start to the season.
There have been reports that he could be gone by next month if the results do not improve, while would-be co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could also have some managerial candidates in mind after he takes over the football operations of the Old Trafford club.
The agent of a popular manager, who is out of work, had a scheduled meeting with Man United cancelled because the club believed the talks would focus on the potential uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s job.
They are already frustrated with agents attempting to push managers into the running for the position, insisting the Dutchman is safe and not under pressure.
Man United have won four of their last five Premier League games and are currently sixth in the table after 12 games.
There are just five points between them and fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and the club are convinced the Dutchman has what it takes to turn their fortunes on the pitch around.
Man United won the League Cup last term during his first season in charge, finishing third in the Premier League and also reaching the final of the FA Cup.
Much more was expected from the manager and the players this season, but they have lost half of the 18 games they have played across all competitions thus far, getting dumped out of the League Cup.
They are also bottom of their Champions League group after four games and could miss out totally on European football during the second half of the campaign depending on how the results from the final two rounds of games go.
Ratcliffe could be in charge of the football operations at Man United when action resumes in a fortnight, and the club have to hit the ground running if Ten Hag still wants to be in the Old Trafford dugout by January 2024.
