Jason Cundy thinks Manchester United’s offer of a one-year extension to Erik ten Hag shows “they’re not backing” the manager.

Cundy heavily scrutinised United’s poor run of form before stating Ten Hag’s days as Red Devils boss are numbered. The former Chelsea defender went on to claim that Ten Hag’s recently-appointed assistant coach and United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will be his successor.

The United hierarchy’s decision-making process dragged on for months at the end of last season before they reached a verdict to retain Ten Hag. Despite him overseeing the club’s lowest ever Premier League finish, an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City helped him secure a one-year extension to his existing one-year deal in July.

Red Devils bosses also splashed out in the summer transfer window, bolstering Ten Hag’s squad with the addition of five new players worth close to £200million. However, a poor start to the new campaign, with two defeats from three Premier League fixtures, has thrown Ten Hag’s future into question again.

Cundy believes another defeat away at Southampton on Saturday would be the final straw, ensuring Ten Hag’s sacking. He supported his prediction by stating the United hierarchy will not stick with him as they have not backed him – as shown by only giving him a one-year extension and having Van Nistelrooy waiting in the wings as an easy replacement.

He said on talkSPORT: “They gave him one year added to one year. That is not backing the manager, that’s basically saying ‘We’ve had a look around, we’ve done the sniff test, there’s no one out there we like the smell of, we’re going to stick with this stink’. They basically feel right now it’s better the devil you know.”

Cundy went on to add: “The problem Ten Hag has is that he’s in a right hole now. He hasn’t been backed by the owners. That’s one of the worst efforts at backing a manager – giving him a one-year extension. [On bringing in the players Ten Hag wanted] that’s backing the project, not him. Give him a three-year contract!

“If you’re really backing the manager, say to him ‘I really believe in you, let’s do this now, let’s do another three on top of one year and give you four years’. They’re sitting there going ‘there’s nothing out there that we fancy right now, we’ll bring in Van Nistelrooy in to help.’

“Everyone knows how this is going to end. Ten Hag knows it, Sir Jim Ratcliffe knows it, the players know it, Van Nistelrooy knows it. It’s just a question of when.”

Ten Hag was officially announced as United manager in April 2022, taking over from Ralf Rangnick. He took charge that summer, leading the side to Champions League qualification in his first season and winning the Carabao Cup. But last season proved to be a step backwards, both in the league and in Europe, despite their FA Cup success.

Van Nistelrooy, 48, managed PSV from March 2022 until the end of the 2022/23 season, stepping down with one game remaining due to insufficient backing within the club. The former striker, who netted 150 goals for United during a five-year stint, inked a two-year contract to serve as Ten Hag’s assistant in July.