Gary Neville doubles down on Erik ten Hag after Man United boss breaks silence

Gary Neville believes Erik ten Hag ought to be happy with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to keep him on as Manchester United manager given the Premier League season he endured.

United recorded their worst ever Premier League finish last term, ending up eighth with just 60 points and a minus-one goal difference. The FA Cup triumph over Manchester City means they will play Europa League football next season and marks two trophies in as many years for Ten Hag.

Neville said prior to the final that the Dutchman should not be dismissed despite his poor league season given the lack of suitable alternatives available. United spoke to Thomas Tuchel and sought the stance of Kieran McKenna as Ineos conducted a two-week season review this month.

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Reports also suggested that the representatives of Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino had been spoken to. Ratcliffe ended up sticking with Ten Hag, who admitted at the weekend that he was aware that the club had contacted potential successors.

He also cast doubt over whether he would sign a renewal contract, stating: “The conclusion is that we will continue together and that they will extend my contract. We still have to reach an agreement on that."

Neville says United were within their rights to look into the managerial market in recent weeks but feels as though Ineos have arrived at the right conclusion. He says both the club and Ten Hag should be content with the outcome.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s one of those where it’s not perfect waiting two-and-a-half weeks after the end of the season to make a decision and quite obviously flirting with other managers in the meantime.

“But I do believe, because Erik ten Hag had such a disappointing season in the league, the club were well within their rights to be able to see what was out there in the market.

“The manager market this summer has been quite difficult for a number of top clubs in Europe, I’m happy that they've continued and maintained that stability into next season."

Neville added: “From Erik ten Hag’s point of view, the fact he knows they had a look at other managers - it’s not ideal but he’s also got to accept when you finish in the league position Manchester United did, there is a chance that you could lose your job. So I think he should be happy, the club should be happy.”

He said the decision to keep Ten Hag was “probably a sensible thing” to offer some stability to the club given the numerous board changes Ratcliffe has enacted since his arrival.

Omar Berrada is set to join as CEO next month while Jason Wilcox has already arrived as technical director amid deadlock in the pursuit Newcastle United sporting chief Dan Ashworth, who is still on gardening leave.