Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren could be in line for a shock return to Old Trafford if Erik ten Hag is installed as the club’s next permanent manager.
That is according to a report by The Guardian, who claim that the former England manager is ‘under consideration’ to assist Ten Hag at Old Trafford. McClaren worked at United as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant between 1999 and 2001, meaning he has a good understanding of the role.
McClaren has worked alongside Ten Hag before at Dutch outfit FC Twente. At the time, their roles were reversed, with the latter serving as McClaren’s assistant for the 2008/09 campaign.
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In the event of McClaren sealing a return to Old Trafford, it would see him work with fellow countryman and under-fire captain Harry Maguire. The centre-back has been heavily criticised throughout the season for a series of below-par performances and costly errors.
His performances have meant that he has failed to live up to the £80million price tag that United paid to Leicester City to sign him back in 2019. At the time, McClaren hailed United’s decision to sign the England international, backing him to have the same level of impact at Old Trafford to that of Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.
“They’ve got so many young talents in there and I think that’s what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going for,” McClaren told Sky Sports, speaking back in 2019. “For me, the signing of the summer has been Maguire, because sometimes one player can make a huge difference, to a dressing room, to a team and to a club.
“Maguire, just like with Van Dijk at Liverpool, and wow they’re challenging. I expect that from Maguire because that is exactly what they needed.
“They’ve got good players going forward, they’ll score goals, and with Maguire at the back, his leadership, the way he is, his personality, he’s a very good signing.”
However, McClaren’s comments, certainly this season, have resulted in him being left with egg on his face. The United captain has struggled for form throughout the season and questions have been raised about his future at the club.
He has been booed by both United and England supporters this season, highlighting his need for this season to reach its conclusion, allowing him to take a step back and enjoy a spell out of the firing line. There have been reports that United might sell him this summer, but that seems unlikely.
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