Exclusive: Erik ten Hag in Man United bust-up behind the scenes
Man United boss Erik ten Hag was involved in a behind-the-scenes bust-up with Steve McClaren last season, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at United for over a decade and was also Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager for a spell, revealed exclusively to Football Insider that relationships between the backroom staff last season were “not very good”.
McClaren was Ten Hag’s assistant manager at Old Trafford from 2022 until the summer of 2024, when he was replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Brown explained that, following his departure as subsequent hiring as the Jamaica national team boss, there had been whispers of a falling-out with Ten Hag.
The speed of McClaren’s exit from Man United and the lack of an explanation has raised questions about the reasons behind the move.
As pressure continues to build on the manager’s position, there is intense scrutiny growing around his work both on and off the field.
Van Nistelrooy, meanwhile, has been lined up as the potential successor to Ten Hag, at least on an interim basis, as Brown previously told Football Insider.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag questioned as staff tensions grow
Ten Hag was handed a new contract in the summer following the FA Cup victory against Man City and was financially backed by the board in the transfer window.
However, he is facing increasing pressure over his position at the club after winning just three of their opening nine games of the season in all competitions.
Now, Brown, who remains very well-connected at United, explained that tensions with staff had already been growing behind the scenes.
“I understand that relationships between the staff last year weren’t very good,” he told Football Insider.
“He worked under Steve McClaren in Holland, then they came here and McClaren worked under him.
“So Steve’s now gone, he disappeared very quickly and that all went quiet.
“Fortunately for him, he’s got another job with Jamaica.
“But it all went quiet and there have been suggestions, from what I’m told by people who know, there was a major difference between the two of them behind-the-scenes.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy has come in now. I was instrumental in signing Ruud and I know him, he’s a top class person, but he can only do what the manager instructs him to do.“
In other news, Erik ten Hag remains “one defeat away from sack crisis” at Old Trafford.
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