Lionel Messi’s private view on joining Man Utd with Xavi now ‘in talks’ to replace Erik ten Hag

Messi’s former team-mate has reportedly opened talks with United through club intermediaries.

Lionel Messi has reportedly given a private view on joining Manchester United amid claims that Xavi has entered talks over potentially replacing current United boss Erik ten Hag.

Xavi has been out of work since leaving his role as Barcelona manager at the end of last season.

He has been in talks over taking a new role as the head coach of the Qatar national team, having finished his playing career in the Gulf state.

But on Tuesday, the Daily Mail reported that United, through club intermediaries, had opened talks with Xavi’s representatives over the possibility of the Spaniard replacing Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag is under pressure amid United’s worst start to a Premier League season since 1989, but the Red Devils did beat Brentford 2-1 to ease some of that pressure.

Xavi has never played for or managed an English club, but is fluent in the language and has previously expressed his admiration for English football on multiple occasions.

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He worked with United chief executive Omar Berrada during their time at Barcelona, with Berrada having been the Spanish club’s marketing manager between 2004 and 2011 before moving to Manchester City.

Another player who was at Camp Nou during that time with Messi, who spent the first part of his career alongside Xavi in various hugely successful Barcelona teams.

Now at Inter Miami, Messi is still going strong at the age of 37, but time is running out on any possibility of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner playing in England.

Although extremely unlikely to be the case, Xavi’s appointment at United could theoretically convince Messi to make the move before his playing career ends.

And the Barcelona icon has reportedly made his feelings clear on a potential move to Old Trafford.

In 2007, he was linked with a move to United when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge – two years before his star performance as Barcelona beat the Red Devils 3-1 in the Champions League final.

He flat out rejected any notion of a transfer when asked about the links, but The Athletic reported in 2020 that he was ‘more charmed’ by ‘historic English clubs such as Manchester United’ amid his ongoing contract saga at Camp Nou.

Erik ten Hag discusses the challenges facing Man Utd ahead of their Premier League opener.

United would ultimately miss out on signing Messi as he joined PSG instead – and any chance of him playing in English football now seems remote at best.

Featured Image Credit: Getty / YouTube

Xavi has made his feelings clear on Man Utd with Barcelona legend ‘in talks’ to replace Erik ten Hag

The Barcelona legend has given his opinion on the Premier League side.

Barcelona legend Xavi has already made his feelings about Manchester United clear amid links he could replaces Erik ten Hag as manager of the club.

Ten Hag is under increasing pressure at United after a disappointing start to the season which has seen his side win only three matches from eight in the Premier League so far.

In light of this, several names have been linked as potential replacements for the Dutch manager, including ex-England manager Gareth Southgate, Brentford boss Thomas Frank and, most recently, Xavi.

Following the links with the Premier league giants, comments revealing the former Barcelona manager’s feelings about the Red Devils have resurfaced.

Ten Hag responds to question about Man Utd future

Speaking to TNT Sport after Barcelona’s Europa League clash with United in 2023, Xavi said: “I think Manchester is coming back, and they showed their best. We need to be proud.

“I think both teams are more or less in the same moment, in the same position, that we are coming back. I said to Ten Hag now, ‘Congratulations,’ because he’s doing very well and they are Manchester United.

“It can be a final, a semi-final, a quarter-final maybe in the future of the Champions League, but now we are in the Europa League and we are coming back.”

Recent reports have suggested that United CEO Omar Berrada travelled to Spain to hold two rounds of talks with Xavi to potentially discuss a move to Old Trafford.

However, according to Spanish newspaper AS, the 44-year-old is currently taking some time away from the sport and is not willing to cut his break short, even if it means rejecting a huge opportunity in the Premier League with Manchester United.

Xavi left Barcelona in April after three years in charge. (Image: Getty)

But, ahead of United’s 2-1 win against Brentford last weekend, Ten Hag hit out at members of the media over their speculation regarding his job.

He said: “Noise is only coming from some of you [media], creating stories and fairytales, bringing lies. Journalists didn’t believe me. I saw the reports. Of course, we are unhappy with the position where we are. Ultimately, we are quiet and composed. We stick to the plan and are very convinced it will be a success.”