Xavi has already named the two Man Utd players who he will build around if he replaces Erik ten Hag

Xavi has named the two players he would build his team around if he replaces Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.

The Daily Mail reported last week that United, through club intermediaries, had held talks with Xavi's representatives over potentially replacing Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

On Monday, the club announced that Ten Hag had left his role as manager after over two years in charge. Assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy is overseeing the first team on a temporary basis while United search for a successor.

And Xavi, who left Barcelona in the summer, is among the favourites to take over the position on a full-time basis.

The Spaniard has long been an admirer of English football, though never played in the Premier League during his illustrious playing career.

But speaking before Barca's Europa League play-off round defeat to United in February 2023, he told Mundo Deportivo of the four United players that hugely impressed him - with only two of those players still with the club.

He mentioned Jadon Sancho and Fred as two players that caused Barca significant problems over the two legs, as well as current stars Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.

He explained: "In the transition he [Rashford] is very, very dangerous. So, yes, we need to take care of all of them, but particularly Rashford.

"He's one of the most dangerous players in Europe. He's very fast, he is very good at dribbling in one-versus-one.

"He [Ten Hag] is getting all the talent out of his players. You see [Jadon] Sancho, Rashford, the Portuguese guy [Bruno Fernandes], and look how Fred is playing."

Xavi has been out of work since he left Barcelona in the summer.

In his two full seasons with Les Cules, he won two trophies, including the 2022/23 La Liga title. He also won the 2023 Supercopa de Espana, but was sacked after Barca finished behind Real in the 2023/24 La Liga standings and struggled in Europe.

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