Ex-Barcelona boss Xavi linked to Man United job

Xavi Hernandez, 44, has been without a team since Barcelona sacked him to be replaced by former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, who has led the Catalan giants to top the La Liga table after 10 domestic games.

Some La Liga clubs have contacted him to offer him a job but the manager does not want to return to coaching a club in his home country. And given the reputation of Spanish coaches in the Premier League following the arrivals of Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery and Andoni Iraola, among others, Xavi is being considered by Manchester United.

Despite leading United to FA Cup glory at the end of last campaign, Ten Hag is again under intense scrutiny after a poor start to this season - the Red Devils are 11th in the Premier League with just three wins in eight games.

According to reports in England, the board led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already met a couple of times with Xavi Hernandez in recent months to offer him the Dutch coach's job, without momentary agreement between the two parties.

United's alleged plan - if they decide to sack Erik ten Hag from his current position - would be to put Ruud van Nistelrooy in as a short-term replacement while they agree a new contract with Xavi at Old Trafford.