Former Liverpool star reveals he has ‘spoken’ to a current Man United player who already knows club’s next manager

A former Liverpool star has revealed that he has spoken to a current Manchester United player who already knows who the club’s next manager will be.

Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure at Old Trafford after a poor season at the helm of the Red Devils.

Their Champions League campaign turned into a nightmare as they were knocked out in the group stage.

In the Premier League, United are currently in eighth place, 13 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Speaking ahead of United’s Premier League clash against Arsenal, former Liverpool man Jason Mcateer revealed that he spoke to a current player who already knows who the club’s next manager will be.

He said on beIN Sports: “I had a conversation with him on Friday, I bumped into him because I live just outside the area so I bumped into him and we had a conversation, a great lad, and I asked him about the end of the season and what his thoughts are.

“He gave me no inclination that the manager was there to stay. In fact, we spoke about different names and who he thought would be a good fit.”

At this point, presenter Richard Keys asked: “How did he react when you said Thomas Tuchel?”

Mcateer said: “He smiled, but it wasn’t the name.”

Keys then said: “Mourinho?” after Mcateer answered ‘no’, Keys said ‘Southgate?’

Mcateer nodded and said: “Yeah, that was the name. Footballers have an inclination when the manager’s job is on the line and they obviously know and I just got the feeling that it’s done, it’s done.”

Speaking after the defeat by Crystal Palace on Monday night, Ten Hag vowed to continue fighting at the club.

He said: “I will keep fighting. I prepared the team in the best way I could do. It was not good enough, I have to take responsibility for that but I will find energy and prepare them for Sunday's game.”