Pundit baffled as Manchester United eye 50-year-old manager if Erik ten Hag leaves

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Craig Burley has issued his verdict after hearing that Manchester United are now interested in Thomas Frank should Erik ten Hag leave Old Trafford ahead of next season.

Erik ten Hag continues to have his doubters at Manchester United. They certainly appear to have failed to make any significant progress after the Dutchman’s promising first season with the club.

Some would be surprised to see ten Hag stay at Manchester United next season. And it seems that INEOS are making plans in case a change is made in the coming months.

Craig Burley says Thomas Frank isn’t a Manchester United manager

Manchester United are reportedly interested in Roberto De Zerbi, Gareth Southgate and Thomas Frank. But there are also other names in the frame.

De Zerbi has won a lot of plaudits for the work he has done at Brighton. And there is absolutely no question that Thomas Frank has done brilliantly at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Nevertheless, the Bees are having a more challenging season. And speaking to ESPN, Craig Burley suggested that turning to the Dane would be a massive gamble.

“I think Thomas Frank has done a great job at Brentford. The way they recruit, the way they use the analytics and all that sort of stuff. I know he was upset at the weekend because his fans were booing when they were behind against Chelsea. And he’s like, ‘how far have we come?’ But for me, he’s not a Man United manager. I’m sorry, that’s a big step,” he said.

Club face dilemma over which route they go down when Erik ten Hag leaves

Of course, the problem Manchester United probably have is that there are not many managers who have knowledge of working with a club of their stature.

And when they have previously appointed managers on that level, they have previously proved to be largely disappointing.

They have gone down a number of paths over the last decade. And there have only been a few signs of encouragement in that time.

You would think that Frank will get the opportunity to take that next step at some stage. But it would be little surprise if many Manchester United fans had a similar thought on the 50-year-old to Burley.