Erik ten Hag is said to be worth £15 million if Manchester United decides to fire him as head coach.
The Dutchman officially arrived at Old Trafford before the start of the 2022-23 Premier League season, entrusted with overhauling a team that is now fighting to finish in the top four of the standings.
Last season saw United return to the Champions League, as well as win the EFL Cup and lose in the FA Cup final, but they remain a team that appears to be stagnant.
United are now ninth in the table, having won five and lost five of their ten top-flight games in 2023-24.
Their five victories have all come by one goal, against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Brentford, and Sheffield United.
However, Manchester City’s superiority was on display on Sunday afternoon as the visitors at Old Trafford cruised to a 3-0 triumph.
With United scoring just 11 goals in the Premier League this season, questions persist over whether Ten Hag is the appropriate man for the job.
However, The Mirror reports that if the Glazer Family decides to make a change in the dugout, it may cost up to £15 million.
There is currently no sign that this is a possibility in the foreseeable future, especially given continuing negotiations about new investment in the club.
Nonetheless, United executives are conscious of the necessity of remaining in the Champions League, with the cash earned from that tournament critical to their long-term finances at a time when FFP is a problem.
United are presently seven points off of the top five ahead of games against Fulham, Luton Town, and Everton, all of which look promising ahead of back-to-back matches against Newcastle United and Chelsea.
Ten Hag, who is thought to be on a £9 million-per-year contract, will be hoping that the forthcoming triple-header gives them an opportunity to keep pace with the clubs above them.
United’s next match is against Newcastle in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, a rematch of the Wembley final in February.