Erik ten Hag REJECTS claims that Man United’s clash with Newcastle will be his Old Trafford farewell… with the Dutchman clinging on to his job after their poor season

Erik ten Hag refuses to believe that Manchester United’s final home game of the season could be his farewell at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag and his players will make a reconnaissance tour after the game against Newcastle despite a desperate campaign that has left the Dutchman clinging to his job.

It will be the last appearance at Old Trafford for several United stars but Ten Hag reacted with surprise to suggestions it could also be his last home game.

‘Goodbye to me?’ he said. ‘That’s not how I see it. It’s not the way I take to start a lap of honor for the fans.’ When asked if he still plans to be in charge next season, Ten Hag responded: ‘It’s the answer to the questions you’ve asked me so often. The same answer.’

Thomas Frank is among the possible replacements if United sack Ten Hag and there was fresh speculation about the Brentford manager on Tuesday.

United’s minority owners Ineos are known to admire Frank and believe he is the type of manager who would be content to focus on team matters and leave the club’s new management group to sign players.

Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi are other names in the frame, but the absence of a standout candidate could still work in Ten Hag’s favor as Ineos are yet to make a decision on his future.

The United manager insists he still has the support of the fans as he bids to finish the season by saving a European place and winning the FA Cup.

“In good times and bad times we are together and the fans show it, so we will take a lap of honor,” he said. “In the stadium, away and at home, they are always supporting the team and me. Also, when I am on the street, many approach me; maybe it is simply out of courtesy, but I don’t feel that way.

‘I almost never get a negative reaction because the fans understand where we are. “The fans understand that this club is in transition and the enormous problems we have had to face, especially injuries in key areas.”

Raphael Varane became the first United player to confirm his departure after the club failed to reach an agreement with the French defender to renegotiate his £340,000-a-week contract.

Other big winners will follow as Ineos reduces the wage bill, including Anthony Martial, Casemiro and Jadon Sancho. The club will also listen to offers for Marcus Rashford and Antony.

But United have no desire to sell Bruno Fernandes – and insist their captain does not want to leave – following a meeting at Carrington last week.

Fernandes, who turns 30 in September and earns £240,000-a-week, could be a target for some of the top clubs in Europe or the Saudi Pro League this summer. “Throughout all these years, he was a tremendously important player for Manchester United,” added Ten Hag. ‘So many assists, so many goals. It is clear that he is a very important player for us.”

Ten Hag also questioned Wayne Rooney’s claim on Sky Sports last Sunday that some United players are hiding behind injuries in order to play in the FA Cup final and Euros.

Confirming that Lisandro Martínez would return to the team against Newcastle, with Fernandes and Rashford also struggling for fitness, Ten Hag said: “You have to see here at Carrington, the players are desperate to play.”

‘I see Licha Martínez, I see Bruno who did a physical test on Sunday to play. Rashford did everything he could but he couldn’t achieve it.

“You also see Victor Lindelof and Rapha Varane, they are training to be available for the final.”