Manchester United will have to pay a significant amount of money to sack manager Erik ten Hag, it has been reported.
The Dutchman is under growing pressure after United's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Red Devils have picked up just seven points from their opening six Premier League games this season, winning twice.
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In June, Ten Hag was given a new contract to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2026.
That came after he guided United to winning the 2024 FA Cup, and while minority co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS considered sacking him then, they ultimately decided to keep him on amid significant public support for the Dutchman.
The prospect of Ten Hag now seeing out the final two years of his contract appear to be much smaller than they were back in June.
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But if United do choose to part ways with the former Ajax boss after over two years in charge, a significant payout would be necessary.
According to Goal reporter Rich Martin, the club would be required to splash out around £17.5 million as a pay-off for the Dutchman.
However, that fee could be lowered if an agreement is reached for the manager to leave by mutual consent, or if Ten Hag himself resigns in what appears to be a much more unlikely case.
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According to BBC Sport, the Dutchman will stay on as United boss for this week's fixtures against FC Porto and Aston Villa.
Ten Hag was asked by Sky Sports about whether he was concerned about his position, to which he bluntly replied: "I'm not thinking about being sacked.
"We all made this decision to stay together in the summer. As an ownership group, leadership group.
"Also we made the decision, after a clear review, what we have to improve as an organisation and how to construct a squad.
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"We are all there on one page, one boat, the ownership, the leadership group, the staff and players too.
"We need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat together ... I don't have that concern [about being sacked]."
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Premier League
Ryan Smart