Ruud van Nistelrooy emerges as betting favorite for Man United job amid Erik ten Hag uncertainty

Likely receiving just two more matches against FC Porto and Aston Villa to retain his place in the Man United dugout, Erik ten Hag’s future as head coach is in turmoil according to the bookies, with former striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy the current favorite to replace him.

Seeing even more pressure mounting on his position as head coach over the course of the weekend, a helpless ten Hag watched from the sidelines as his 10–men United side dropped a humiliating 0-3 loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford. 

And with reports claiming a divided dressing room, as well as reported scrutiny regarding his immediate future by the INEOS-backed board, ten Hag’s post as manager is under threat according to bookies, who have placed Ruud van Nistelrooy – the current assistant coach as the +200 betting favorite with promoguy to replace his compatriot. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy betting favorite to replace Erik ten Hag

Travelling to Portugal midweek for their second UEFA Europa League outing following a collapse against FC Twente last week, it seems nothing short of at least 4 points from his next two games will send the final nail in the proverbial coffin on the managerial run of ten Hag at United. 

However, despite his faltering start to the Premier League season as well as their European campaign, ten Hag insists that whilst murmurs continue to run rampant, he is not worried about his job as head coach – at least in the immediate future.

“I am not thinking about this,” Erik ten Hag said following United’s loss to Tottenham. “We all made in the summer the decision to stay together, as an ownership, a leadership group. Also, we made the decision from a clear review what we have to improve and how we want to construct a squad. But we knew it will take some time, how the window went, some players late in like (Manuel) Ugarte.”

Also, we have to make some improvement in [the overarching] organization, we still have some injuries, we need some time,” Erik ten hag explained. “We are all on one page or in one boat together, the ownership, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that concern.”

As well as a potential permanent move to manager for ex-United forward faithful, Ruud van Nistelrooy, United have also reportedly sounded out a potential move for former England national team head coach, Gareth Southgate, whom the new ownership group reportedly appreciate following his back-to-back major tournament final appearances.

Along with both former striking phenom, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gareth Southgate, another former striker-turned-manager has also seen his odds blitzed in recent weeks, with current Inter Milan coach, Simeone Inzaghi identified as a potential replacement for the long-term – following his Serie A win with the Italian side, and UEFA Champions League runners up award two seasons ago. 

Following their Thursday trip to FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League, United travel to take on Aston Villa on Sunday – without captain, Bruno Fernandes, who was given a controversial straight red for his lunge on James Maddison against Tottenham over the course of last weekend.