Neville made ‘cruel’ claim over Ten Hag hours before Man Utd’s decision

“The fact is, he probably would have been gone by now if he had lost the FA Cup final and no one was really anticipating a performance like that, a display on which you could almost hang your hat. But I don’t think he can complain that United have taken their time to consider options.

“Any Manchester United manager finishing eighth knows that their job is on the line. But we’re coming to a point where, having assessed the market, my hunch is that he will stay and start the season.”

Had they opted to remove Ten Hag, Neville suspects United would have gone for Gareth Southgate rather than the likes of Maurico Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel. He added: “Sir Dave Brailsford, Director of Sport at Ineos, and Dan Ashworth, the incoming Director of Football, are very methodical process-driven people and that is clearly the route they will go.

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“Pochettino and Tuchel are probably more about instinct and using the force of their personality. The fact that they haven’t appointed either of them seems to indicate that United are leaning towards a Gareth Southgate-type manager, who can lead a process-driven culture change at the club.

“But there’s no way that they can hang on waiting for Southgate. I don’t think they will let it go on into the Euros as that will start to look clunky and clumsy.

“The longer this goes on the more people will think Southgate is in the frame and that will turn the heat on him. I don’t actually see Gareth at Manchester United as a fit for him or the club.

“But regardless of that, if they do want him, I don’t think Gareth would risk his reputation, for integrity, by doing anything to jeopardise this Euro 2024 campaign. As such, I don’t think he will be Manchester United’s manager at the start of next season.

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“For me, it’s inconceivable and impossible that Ten Hag could turn up at pre-season training in early July, run the club for a few weeks, allow England to finish their Euros campaign so that Sir Dave Brailsford then gets the opportunity to talk to Southgate and appoint him sometime in August.

“United need a decision for the new season now. It can’t be made in pre-season. I understand why United have taken a little longer, but with no real candidate emerging, they need now to confirm ten Hag.

“Even though it looks like they’ve spoken to other people, I suspect everyone can be grown up, shake hands and get on with the job, even though Ten Hag knows he isn’t their No.1 choice.”

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