It's been a rough start to the season for Manchester United, with manager Erik ten Hag feeling the heat after a dire few months.
Last season had broken the record for United's worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign - a record that ten Hag's side broke this time around.
Humbling 3-0 home defeats to both Liverpool and Spurs were particular low points, with United amassing just eight points from their first seven league games.
They showed hints of getting things back on track in Saturday's home win over Brentford, with the attacking trio of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund showing glimpses of what they can do as a front three.
However, immense pressure remains on manager ten Hag, with many surprised that the Dutchman survived the international break.
Though new owners INEOS have stood by their man for now, reports have linked Barcelona legend Xavi with taking ten Hag's job.
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Manchester United linked with Xavi as potential ten Hag replacement
The Daily Mail reported this week that Manchester United have made tentative approaches to ex-Barcelona manager Xavi, as Erik ten Hag remains on the brink at Old Trafford.
The report suggests that United have reached out to the Barca legend on two separate occasions through intermediaries, and he appears to be a real target should ten Hag ultimately lose his job.
United board meetings have taken place in Barcelona in recent months - though this appears to be down to INEOS' sailing team preparing for the America's Cup in the region.
Xavi would be a left-field option for Manchester United in the event that ten Hag does get the sack. The 44-year-old managed Barcelona for three years from 2021 to 2024, winning the club's first La Liga title in four years in 2022-23. That season saw him come up against ten Hag's United in the Europa League, with the English side winning out 4-3 on aggregate. That game remains one of the high points of ten Hag's tenure thus far.
Barcelona and Xavi went through something of an acrimonious divorce last season. Xavi initially announced that he would step down as manager at the end of the season, before being persuaded by the club to extend his contract amid a brilliant mid-season run of form.
However, the club would then make a sensational U-turn and axe Xavi after he made public remarks about the board's processes.
During his playing career, Xavi won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, as a crucial part of Barcelona's golden era. He also won Euros 2008 and 2012 with Spain, and the 2010 World Cup.
Xavi would certainly bring a lot of pedigree to Manchester United, and the latest reports will only serve to pile more pressure on Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hotseat.
