Topics: Xabi Alonso, Liverpool, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso has made his feelings clear on managing Manchester United after being linked with replacing Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag's job at Old Trafford remains under threat after the club's worst ever start to a season in the Premier League.
United are now winless in five games in all competitions following the 0-0 draw away at Aston Villa and the performance didn't do much to indicate Ten Hag is capable of turning things around.
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A whole host of managers have been tipped to replace Ten Hag, including the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate and Simone Inzaghi.
Alonso's name was also thrown in the hat by the media in Spain, having previously been linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the summer following a stunning unbeaten Bundesliga triumph with Bayer Leverkusen.
But Alonso still has a strong affiliation with Liverpool, where he played 210 times and won the Champions League in 2005.
And given his comments about the club in his last visit to Anfield, it seems unlikely that he would be willing to join United.
“Once a Red, always a Red," he told Liverpool's club website in 2022 when returning for a charity game.
"It's not a logo, I think it's a reality. Not just my case, I think that most of us feel really close to the club.
“Wherever you are in the world, Liverpool fans remember you and they keep you closer to the club. That's the best thing of Liverpool. All the support and all the family that's around the world.”
United find themselves lurched in 14th in the Premier League after seven games, having claimed just one win.
After watching the draw at Villa Park, United's hierarchy are to meet in Manchester on Monday and then London on Tuesday - with co-chairman Joel Glazer set to fly in to attend.
However, ESPN say there is a "private agreement" amongst United chiefs that they are not keen on sacking him after giving him £200 million to spend in the summer.
United return to action on 19 October with a home game against Brentford.
