Sir Alex Ferguson’s old assistant backs ex-Chelsea boss for Man Utd job

Rene Meulensteen insists former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel ‘could deal’ with the Manchester United job if was he chosen to replace Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag has a week to save his job at Old Trafford after United’s poor start to the season and a harrowing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at the weekend.

Manchester United have decided to stick by Ten Hag despite the dismal loss to Spurs but will likely sack the Dutchman unless the team produces two improved performances against Porto, who they face on Thursday night, and Aston Villa, who they meet on Sunday.

Ten Hag’s assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy and ex-England manager Gareth Southgate have been linked with Manchester United as they get ever closer to pulling the trigger, but Meulensteen believes Tuchel should also be considered.

Tuchel has enjoyed success to varying degrees at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He has been out of work since leaving the Allianz Arena at the end of last season.

Intriguingly, Manchester United spoke to Tuchel about potentially replacing Ten Hag over the summer before ultimately deciding to give their current boss more time.

‘Thomas Tuchel is a strong character and a strong personality, I think he has a clear idea of how he wants to play and I think he could deal with managing a huge club like Manchester United,’ Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Meulensteen told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League odds.

‘Messages from managers need to be conveyed to the team very, very loud and very, very clearly and he is the sort of person and character that could handle a club the size of Manchester United.

‘He has managed huge clubs and he knows what the Premier League is all about, the only interesting factor is why things didn’t progress after he spoke to the club last summer. Maybe he had a few questions that weren’t answered.

‘Manchester United is only about one thing. It’s competing for the biggest trophies and that includes the Premier League and doing well as they can in the Champions League, Tuchel has shown in the past that he can win trophies.’

Meulensteen believes time is running out for Ten Hag to prove he can take Manchester United back to the top and has been ‘frustrated’ by the club’s lack of progress.

‘Managers should get given and take 18 months to get their feet under the table and get their style across to the players as well as create the culture they want at the club, after that it is all your project and not of the manager who was there before,’ he added.

‘Then you need to see clear evidence of a structure and identity on the pitch but after a positive first season, Erik ten Hag hasn’t been able to build on that and there is a real frustration with the lack of progress.

‘In the summer the new ownership group spoke to other managers and decided that Ten Hag was the best way forward, but a lack of progress, inconsistency, and not having a clear identity on the pitch have followed.

‘After two and a half years in a job, you’d have to say that it’s questionable.’

Meulensteen also said current Manchester United assistant manager Van Nistelrooy ticks plenty of boxes as the Premier League giants consider a change.

‘Ruud van Nistelrooy has plenty going for him when it comes to potentially taking over at Old Trafford,’ the 60-year-old said.

‘He knows the club, he knows the expectations of the club and he’s strong-willed with a very strong personality.

‘The key is to make sure that you can focus on the most important aspects which are getting the team playing for you, then when things calm down you can do your best work.

‘When the performances are not going your way then the scrutiny becomes so big. You need to create a strong culture with the players and the staff if you’re going to be a success.

‘Ruud could have a big dilemma on his hands, if the club asked him to step in to replace Erik ten Hag.

‘He knows what the club is like and he knows how to create a winning team like he did at PSV, but he will have loyalty to Ten Hag as all coaches should for the manager.

‘Obviously it wouldn’t be easy and you wouldn’t jump into that situation without thinking about it, but stranger things have happened in football.’

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