Xavi demands signing of Barcelona attacker at Manchester United as he becomes strong candidate to replace Erik ten Hag: Reports

Xavi has reportedly asked Manchester United to sign Barcelona star Raphinha if he is to take over at the club. The Spaniard wants the Brazilian winger in his squad at Old Trafford.

As per a report in Fichajes.net, Xavi will consider the Manchester United offer only if they are willing to bring in Raphinha. The manager worked with the Brazilian at Barcelona and wants to add him to the frontline at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have a Brazilian winger of their own — Antony — but the former Ajax man has not lived up to the standards expected at the club. He has been linked with an exit, just like Erik ten Hag who signed him.

However, the Red Devils manager has insisted that there are no talks over his future at the club. He claimed that the reports are all 'outside noise' and that everyone at the club is supporting him to turn things around. Ten Hag said (via WION):

"Noise is only coming from some of you in the media, creating stories and fairy tales, and bringing lies. I told this before the break. Several journalists probably didn't believe me because I see the reports. But internal in the club it's quiet. Of course, we are discussing, that we are unhappy with the position where we are and how we have to turn the corner, what has to happen, so what should be strategy to turn this corner."

Xavi was linked with the role earlier this week. The Spaniard has been without a club since Barcelona sacked him at the end of last season. Raphinha was in the news last night as he scored a hat-trick during Barcelona's 4-1 win against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

Gary Neville claims Manchester United will not sack Erik ten Hag amid links to former Barcelona manager

Erik ten Hag is under pressure at Manchester United but Gary Neville believes his former club will not make a decision on the manager's future any time soon. He added that INEOS will be hoping to stick by the manager until the end of the season, as they extended his contract in the summer.

Neville said on Sky Sports:

"They definitely won't want to do anything this season. No club wants to sack a manager during the middle of the season. It's not just a reflection on the manager, it's a reflection upon them. Even though INEOS have come into the club in the last few months in terms of taking control of the football side – and Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada have only been in for a couple of months – you can't really land the blame at their door."

"They're going to need two or three years to sort this out. But the club did make the decision to keep Ten Hag in the summer, so they won't want to reverse that decision within the first six or seven games. They have just got to hope [something happens] in this next couple of weeks – through maybe a reset, some thinking time, some planning," he added.

Manchester United have also been linked with Ruben Amorim, Edin Terzic, and Massimiliano Allegri. Simone Inzaghi has also been rumored to be on the shortlist along with Graham Potter.