MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Xavi is set for the Old Trafford hot seat – after his wife Nuria Cunillera’s latest social media update.
The Barcelona legend has been linked with a move to replace under-fire boss Erik ten Hag.
GettyXavi’s wife Nuria Cunillera has appeared to drop a big Red Devils hint on her social media[/caption]
Instagram @nuriacunillera81She uploaded a snap of Xavi alongside his son Dan, who is wearing a Man Utd kit[/caption]
AlamyThe post came just hours after Erik ten Hag watched his United side lost at West Ham[/caption]
Man Utd slumped a 2-1 loss against West Ham on Sunday to pile more pressure on the Dutchman.
Xavi and his family had no such worries as they enjoyed a lazy weekend together.
Cunillera uploaded a snap of the former Spanish midfielder sorting through football stickers with his son Dan.
Fans were surprised to see the 5-year-old was decked out in a Man Utd shirt.
The upload came just hours after the Red Devils fell to defeat against the Hammers.
One fan wrote on X: “She knew what she was doing!”
Another said: “Yeah…that’s no accident.
A third predicted: “The rumour is becoming true story.”
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While a fourth added: “I’d take him in a second over EtH. It can’t be any worse.”
Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi has managed both Al Sadd and Barcelona since hanging up his boots in 2019.
The 44-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving the Catalan giants over the summer.
During his time at the Nou Camp, Xavi won 89 of 142 games with a win percentage of 62.68 per cent.
How Man Utd could line up under Xavi
DESPITE Man Utd backing under-pressure manager Ten Hag, reports have emerged suggesting the Red Devils have lined up Xavi as a potential replacement.
According to reports, United chiefs have identified the 44-year-old as a possible option if the Dutchman is sacked.
Xavi’s team typically lines up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the La Masia graduate championing the “Four P’s” – positioning, possession, pressure and perception.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are both extremely capable right-backs who could feature in a Xavi team due to their technical prowess.
If either Malacia or Shaw cannot be relied on to play, Xavi may try a raid on his old club by signing 21-year-old Alejandro Balde.
SunSport selects Xavi’s potential XI as the Spaniard is linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams…
Reports in Spain suggested United contacted the Barca legend in May.
But their interest cooled due to his desire to take a year off from football.
It’s since been claimed contact has twice been made between United and Xavi via intermediaries in recent months.
Man Utd ratings vs West Ham
THE LONDON STADIUM was the venue for the latest defeat in a shocker of a season.
To be fair, it was a hugely controversial VAR call in the dying moments that handed West Ham a 2-1 win.
And the first half from the Red Devils was impressive.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated the players…
Andre Onana – 6
Very loose with the ball at his feet early on but soon settled.
Manchester United conceded from West Ham’s first shot on target, though given Ings’ deflected strike there was little Onana could have done about it.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Delivered one of the most entertaining missed chances you will see all season – doing so well to clip the ball past Lukasz Fabianski before smashing the ball high and wide of an open goal.
Despite that, had little trouble from those in claret and blue attacking down his side until Summerville was introduced. The former Leeds man tested Dalot a number of times with his pace.
Redeemed himself a touch with the header back in ahead of Casemiro’s equaliser.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Hard done by in conceding the penalty for what looked a soft challenge on Hammers striker Ings.
Restricted West Ham well for the most part but United never looked entirely comfortable at the back and a more potent attack could have caused much more trouble.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Struggled at times to deal with the strength and direct nature of Michail Antonio, who tested all across United’s back line well until he was replaced by Ings.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Struggled to keep a handle on both Bowen and former Manchester United man Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the most part and was thrown around by Michail Antonio at times.
Having looked soft at the back he also offered very little going forwards down the left.
Casemiro – 6
Started strongly dominating in the middle but struggled to wrestle that back when West Ham picked up.
Was denied a first half goal by Fabianski’s superb save but got one eventually as he refused to give up and made sure the ball.
Christian Eriksen – 5
Some flashes of creativity in the first half but could not help United keep control in the second after West Ham perked up.
Marcus Rashford – 4
Entirely absent throughout the hour he was on the pitch. Played down the right he was easily managed by Emerson Palmieri who had little of note to do before the winger went off.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Caused huge problems for West Ham and created plenty of chances which his teammates put to waste.
Fernandes made a fine run to meet a Casemiro cross but headed over the bar and had to watch both Garnacho and Dalot pass up huge chances after his good work to set them up – especially the latter, a wonderful looped ball to cut out the entire West Ham defence.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
The young winger should have had two goals inside the opening eight minutes. One chance was rattled against the bar before a poor finish sent the second wide of the far post.
He continued to cause trouble down the left but faded as the game went on and crucially gave the ball away in the build-up to Summerville’s goal.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Drew a couple of saves from Hammers keeper Fabianski but neither looked too difficult.
The Dane was rather comfortably dealt with by West Ham’s central defenders and never looked too much of a threat.
Substitutes
Amad Diallo – 6
Added some life and threat to a forward line which had offered little after the break and lifted a clever ball over to Dalot in the build-up to Casemiro’s goal.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Claimed an assist but did not know a lot about it and struggled to have an impact from there on.
Victor Lindelof – n/a
Unused subs: Altay Bayindir, Manuel Ugarte, Jonny Evans, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher.
Man Utd face Leicester on Wednesday in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup.
Ten Hag’s men welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Sunday for what could be a pivotal clash in the Dutchman’s career.