Manchester United supporters are predicting that Erik ten Hag might have taken a step closer to the Old Trafford dugout after Ajax were eliminated from the Champions League.
As the dust continues to settle on defeat for United in the same competition, one of the coaches tipped to replace Ralf Rangnick has also been sent packing. Despite earning a 2-2 draw from their first-leg meeting with Benfica, there was no way through for Ajax and the highly-rated Ten Hag.
Darwin Nunez secured victory for Benfica in Amsterdam. It means United and the two frontrunners to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino - will not feature in the last eight this season.
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United headed into their last-16 return against Atletico level pegging after Joao Felix's goal in Madrid was cancelled out by Sweden starlet Anthony Elanga's late strike. However, it was the Spanish champions who went through to the quarter-finals courtesy of a Renan Lodi header. It's a result that has seen interim manager Rangnick and his team come in for heavy criticism.
Over in the Netherlands, meanwhile, Ajax looked well set to progress. However, Nunez and Benfica had other ideas, leaving Ten Hag at a crossroads over his future. Defeat has left United fans undecided as to whether he is the right man for the job.
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On one hand, some United supporters are worried about his inability to see out the tie. However, others suggest the result will allow key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom to swoop in and appoint the Dutchman without complications. Here is a selection of comments taken from popular social media platform Twitter.
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