TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook has claimed that a Premier League manager sees himself as future Manchester United boss.
Erik ten Hag’s fate is yet to be determined after guiding Manchester United to an unlikely FA Cup final victory at Wembley on Saturday.
The Dutchman’s second trophy in two seasons at Old Trafford seems to have thrown a spanner in the works for United chiefs.
Ten Hag was being tipped to depart ahead of the Wembley dust-up but five days on from their 2-1 win over Manchester City, we are none the wiser over his future.
The Red Devils are weighing up their options and have reportedly held talks with both Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Mauricio Pochettino.
Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna is another who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The Northern Irishman won’t be making the switch to Manchester this summer as he’s set to sign a new deal with Ipswich.
Yet, Alex Crook claims the former United coach has one eye on a return to Manchester.
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Kieran McKenna sees himself as future Manchester United manager
McKenna worked at United for a total of five years before securing a move to East Anglia back in December 2021.
The 38-year-old managed the Under-18s side before working as assistant manager under both Jose Mourinho and Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer.
He was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea before the London giants decided on Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca.
But Crook has told talkSPORT [30/05 7:13 am] that McKenna is eyeing an eventual move back to Carrington.
“I think when it comes to the top jobs, Chelsea certainly cast admiring glances in his direction, Manchester Unite likewise,” the journalist said. “But obviously he’s not going to get that job either at this moment in time. I think that’s key actually.
“I think he sees himself as a future Manchester United manager and is probably now saving himself for that opportunity. Could that be good news for Ten Hag? I guess potentially it could be because it means he might stay a bit longer.
“But I was told by numerous sources a couple of weeks ago that McKenna to Brighton was pretty much a done deal. I just wonder if those big jobs becoming available may have just turned his head a little bit and he decided actually, I better just stay at Ipswich and wait for an opportunity a bit higher up the food chain.”
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McKenna looks destined for United move
Should McKenna continue to impress at Ipswich, a move to United further down the line feels inevitable.
The former United coach appears to be keen on a return to Old Trafford and Ten Hag’s long-term future is far from certain.
McKenna will be aware that his stock could drop should he endure a difficult season with Ipswich. But the ‘phenomenal‘ job he has done at Portman Road will mean he has plenty of credit in the bank.
Just two seasons ago, the Tractor Boys were in League One but now they will mix it with England’s elite clubs in the Premier League next season.