Man Utd legend ramps up Thomas Tuchel speculation after refusing to answer question on beIN Sports

Pressure is building on Erik ten Hag at Manchester United amid speculation linking Thomas Tuchel with the job.

Rumours continue to rumble on over Ten Hag’s future and a draw against Burnley in a must-win game has only increased the pressure on the Dutchman.

It is believed no decision has been made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe on his long-term future at the club but speculation has already started as to who could replace him in the Old Trafford dugout.

Reports have suggested that Tuchel has emerged as a viable contender for the INEOS group and will be a free agent in the summer when he leaves Bayern Munich at the end of the season after failing to win the Bundesliga title.

Tuchel has experience in the Premier League after a spell with Chelsea and Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel believes he would be an excellent fit if Ten Hag was to be dismissed.

He was pressed for his thoughts on Tuchel replacing Ten Hag for beIN Sports and refused to answer a question from Richard Keys which prompted speculation as to whether he know more than he let on.

Keys asked: “Manchester United clearly have a manager so they aren't in the market for anyone but if they were, would Thomas Tuchel be the sort of character you could see fitting in there?”

Schmeichel replied: “I'm not going to go there. There is no way I'm going to go there. I know it's a question, I know it's speculative and yeah. No I'm not.”

The desk insisted the question was completely hypothetical and pressed the Manchester United legend for his thoughts.

Schmeichel waxed lyrical about the German and compared him to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Does Peter Schmeichel know something about Thomas Tuchel to Manchester United? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/NcClMyLE5x

— Kevin Palmer 💙 (@RealKevinPalmer) April 28, 2024

“If Manchester United were in the market for a manager, he should be somebody mentioned in that respect,” he said. “He should be.

“He has that kind of pedigree. He has got, as I said, the authority, he has proven he can win, which I think is really important.

“He does come with a set system, this is how football has been played. Yeah, of course, he is a big-club manager, isn’t he? So is Klopp. Klopp would be fantastic for Man United as well.”

He then clarified: “I am not saying he should be the manager, I am just saying that the category of manager Manchester United should have if they are in the market for a manager.”

Fans responded to the clip and were unsure whether Schmeichel did have some inside knowledge on the managerial situation.

One wrote: “He’s close to SJR. Sits with him at United matches. So he’s a de facto advisor,” however, another added: “No, he just doesn’t want to be seen as throwing a Man Utd manager under the bus on TV as it’s disrespectful.”

Another fan said: “I think he's just sharing an opinion here.”