Man United managerial candidates ‘have reservations over succeeding Erik ten Hag because of intense criticism from former players in the media’

Potential Manchester United candidates are being deterred from replacing Erik ten Hag by the strong opinions of former players who work in science, reports suggest.

Erik ten Hag has had to navigate his way through criticism from former United players during his chaotic two seasons in charge, which could soon come to an end.

A 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday put Ten Hag’s future in further doubt as INEOS and United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe consider whether to sack the Dutchman.

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane have been sounded out as potential replacements for Ten Hag, but the impact of comments from former players has some candidates concerned, as reported by The Telegraph.

The progression from playing to expert is a path often trodden by former stars of the modern game, with United’s band of legends emerging in increasingly bigger roles across broadcasters and YouTube channels.

Rio Ferdinand (left) and Gary Neville (right) are among the ex-United stars who have made the switch to punditry

Former Man United star Paul Scholes has called for Ten Hag to be sacked by Man United

Old Trafford legend Gary Neville has been highly critical of United’s performances this season and has been in the news for his comments on the goings-on at the 13-time Premier League champions.

Rio Ferdinand is another iconic player from the club who has spoken out in the years since his departure and even has his own YouTube channel that focuses largely on United’s problems.

Premier League legend Paul Scholes regularly hits out at United’s failures and called for Ten Hag’s sacking after the club’s dismal performance against Crystal Palace, while Michael Owen insisted the Dutchman should be forced out before the end of the season to leave. Owen Hargreaves is also a former United star who now appears regularly on television.

Two candidates named to replace Ten Hag are believed to be concerned about negative media attention to the management hotseat at Old Trafford.

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has been linked with a takeover at Man United this summer

Man United’s dismal season took another turn after being defeated 4-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday

The 54-year-old United boss has a year left on his current contract and has sought to project an authority of confidence during his side’s torrid recent performances.

Ten Hag recently said former players were ‘forgetful’ and emphasized that players like Ferdinand and Neville also endured times of underperformance during Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign.

At the end of April he said: ‘People forget that the 2004-05 Man United team didn’t play great football either (while Ferguson was building a new team around Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo).

“They were building and it took time, but everyone forgets about it, even the players who were on the team.”