Premier League giants Manchester United have identified a potential replacement for under-fire manager Erik ten Hag in former Barcelona coach Xavi, a decision that is met with skepticism given his lackluster performance at the Catalan club. According to reports, United held talks with Xavi during their recent trip to Barcelona, although the club’s officials have downplayed the meeting, attributing it to “tending to other business matters.”
Despite their extensive summer signings, including Josh Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Chido Obi-Martin, and Sekou Kone, amounting to a whopping £185 million ($240 million) in transfer fees, Manchester United find themselves in a dire situation, languishing at 12th place with only 11 points from eight Premier League matches. The team has also struggled in the UEFA Europa League, drawing their first two games against FC Twente and FC Porto.
Ten Hag’s poor performance has led to reports suggesting that he is on borrowed time, leaving the door open for Xavi to take over. The Spanish tactician has previously managed Barcelona since November 2021, but his record at the club has been underwhelming. Despite guiding the team to the La Liga title in the 2022-23 season, he failed to win a single trophy in the 2023-24 season, which marked his worst campaign at the helm.
Novice fans may view Xavi’s appointment with a mix of emotions – some may see it as an exciting move, given his connection to the club’s storied history and the possibility of infusing fresh ideas, while others will be less enthused due to his underwhelming performance at Barcelona. One thing is certain: with Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino tied up with England and the United States, respectively, a manager such as Xavi becomes a more appealing option, despite the considerable doubts surrounding his ability to succeed in the Premier League.
