Jamie Carragher claims Champions League qualification would put incoming Man United sporting director Dan Ashworth in a ‘difficult position’ – as it would make it ‘tough’ to replace Erik ten Hag

Manchester United’s incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth will be put in a ‘difficult position’ should Erik ten Hag’s side sneak a Champions League spot, according to Jamie Carragher. 

The Red Devils are now just six points off the top-four following their late 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. 

Ashworth meanwhile is expected to make the move to Old Trafford, with Man United and his current club Newcastle expected to reach an agreement early next week.  

Though finishing inside the Champions League qualification spots would mark a remarkable turnaround for the Red Devils in what has been a frustrating season, Carragher believes that it would make it tough for Ashworth to replace Ten Hag. 

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, by Sky Bet, Carragher said: ‘To decide if Erik ten Hag is the manager for next season. And I think with Ten Hag it’s an interesting one because the better they do you obviously think that is better for United.

Manchester United closed the gap to the top-four to six points after beating Aston Villa

Jamie Carragher believes Champions League qualification could put Dan Ashworth (right) in a difficult position

Carragher believes Champions League qualification would make it ‘tough’ to replace manager Erik ten Hag

‘But if United keep winning, the way they won on Sunday – that’s not sustainable. If they almost get through and get a Champions League spot, I actually think that puts the ownership and Dan Ashworth in a difficult position because you can’t win the league like that.

‘I’m not talking like a six-week period. We’ve all been there where you nick a few results, but we are actually of two years in. 

‘Look, we’ve said it a million times about Erik ten Hag’s style of play, it is what we are seeing now – I’m not sure you can win the biggest of trophies playing like that.

‘I think [Dave] Brailsford will know that, and obviously Dan Ashworth, looking at the way Liverpool play, or City, or even Arsenal for be fair. My point being is you could get to the stage where Manchester United are finishing in the Champions League positions, let’s say they finish 5th, it’s very difficult to change a manager. 

‘But at the back of their heads, they’ll be thinking – it’d be a tough one to change the manager. And if they had someone that could come in and implement the type of football that we see the top teams playing, that’d be the brave thing to do and probably the right thing to do.’

Scott McTominay netted an 86th minute winner for the Red Devils to close the gap to Unai Emery’s side to five points. Aston Villa’s defeat though allowed Tottenham to jump them into fourth.

It is not the first time that United have left it late this month, with Kobbie Mainoo netting a winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time to give them a 4-3 victory away at Wolves. 

Though results have improved in recent times, Carragher insists that United are still making the same mistakes during games.

Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast that United are still making the same mistakes despite their improved form

Champions League qualification would increase Ten Hag’s chances of keeping his position

He said:  ‘I felt in the Villa game, even though it was a great result, to go to Villa at win that, it’s one of the toughest places to go, so it’s a brilliant win. 

‘But I still felt when I was watching the game – I was still seeing things that I saw at Tottenham after, about the third game of the season. 

‘There was loads of space in midfield, people getting on the ball and just running at Manchester United’s defence, that was happening at Tottenham four or five months ago.’

Ten Hag’s position as manager has come under question at times during what has been a difficult season for the Red Devils.

The pressure on his shoulders has increased since Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the football – since he and INEOS will take control of football operations.  

Jamie Carragher was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.