Man Utd 'hold talks' with Kieran McKenna amid Erik ten Hag uncertainty

Manchester United have perhaps given their first indication that manager Erik ten Hag is on borrowed time at Old Trafford following reports on Thursday night that initial talks have been held with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna.

McKenna was championed earlier in the week at the annual LMA awards, winning Manager of the Year ahead of Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta thanks to his incredible work getting Ipswich promoted into the Premier League, just 12 months after being in League One.

He paid lip service to the idea of seeing things through with Ipswich, but it was quickly suggested that the club's attempts to secure his future to a new contract would be unsuccessful and that the 38-year-old feels it is already the right time to move onto the next challenge.

Chelsea and Brighton were believed to be the frontrunners for his signature, with Manchester United only expected to get involved if the club were to decide Ten Hag isn't the right man going forward.

Sky Sports now reports that United's new chief executive Omar Berrada and new technical director Jason Wilcox met with McKenna's representatives as early as last week over the possibility of bringing him back to Old Trafford, where he was an assistant coach on the staff of both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as well as previously Under-18 manager.

There is not yet any indication that United have made a decision on Ten Hag's future, but what it does suggest is that the club are keeping their options firmly open. The Dutchman is likely to know one way or the other following the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday.

With Chelsea searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino, McKenna features on a three-man shortlist compiled at Stamford Bridge alongside Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca. Brighton & Hove Albion have also shown interest in McKenna since parting company with Roberto De Zerbi.