‘Just wrong’… Chris Sutton baffled why 40-year-old manager isn’t being linked with Manchester United

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Chris Sutton has questioned why Manchester United wouldn’t be looking at replacing Erik ten Hag with Wolves manager, Gary O’Neil.

O’Neil has been impressing at Molineux and he got his reward for a number of good performances this weekend as his side came from behind late to beat Tottenham.

The former West Ham midfielder helped Bournemouth stay up last term before getting the Wolves job.

And speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast, Chris Sutton has questioned why big clubs like United won’t take a look at O’Neil.

Chris Sutton says Manchester United should look at Gary O’Neil

Speaking on the pod, Sutton went on a mini-rant alongside journalist Ian Ladyman.

“I really rate him highly. I thought him getting the boot by Bournemouth was extremely harsh. He’s carving out a really strong reputation as an excellent manager. I just wonder when the time comes for Gary O’Neil when he will be linked – say Erik ten Hag [goes] – would he ever be linked with a job like Manchester United?,” Sutton said.

Fellow podcast host and journalist Ian Ladyman simply responded with a ‘no’ To which made Sutton even angrier.

“That’s just wrong. This is a guy who kept Bournemouth up, took it when the previous manager had whammed them, they had just lost 9-0. He kept them up easily, possibility of manager of the season, ended up losing his job because he’s not trendy enough? I don’t know what it is. Walked into Wolves, I think people have forgotten, a couple of days before the start of the season. Had that performance against Manchester United, arguably Wolves should have far more points than they have done, they have been on the wrong end of some shocking defeats. For him to go in and set up a team which is really well balanced, it’s pretty remarkable and his reputation is growing and growing and growing but what’s stopping him getting linked with a huge job? That whole thing is wrong, I don’t understand it.”

United manager Erik ten Hag is coming under pressure at the moment despite actually winning four of the last five league games.

However, performances have been below par in the main and there have been some murmurings that Ten Hag is losing his grip a bit on things inside Old Trafford.

Of course, as Sutton says, United would be unlikely to to consider someone like Gary O’Neil. And at the moment, it’s probably fair enough.

If O’Neil was to lead Wolves into Europe though and then have another few good seasons with them, then he might force himself into the conversation.

Right now, though, despite Sutton’s rant here, O’Neil is not going to be getting anywhere near the United job any time soon.