MANCHESTER UNITED left managerial candidates shocked with their low wage offer and tiny transfer budget, according to reports.
United decided to stick with Erik ten Hag after he won the FA Cup to make it two trophies in as many seasons.
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But the call was only made after several interviews with potential replacements amounted to nothing.
According to The Times, one manager on the shortlist was "astounded" by the low wage offered for the United job.
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While another was unimpressed by the transfer budget, which the club hope to boost by selling the likes of Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.
Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank all held talks with United directly or through intermediaries.
England manager Gareth Southgate is also admired by the Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford.
But the Three Lions boss refused talks before Euro 2024 is over and will only be available when his contract expires at the end of the year.
Ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel ruled himself out of the running after holding talks with Ratcliffe in Monaco last week.
The German is believed to have mentioned signing Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger, 31, who won the Champions League with Tuchel.
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Though Rudiger is out of United’s price range, with the club said to only have a gross budget of around £35million to spend this summer.
United are in the market for a centre-back but Rudiger is considered too old and would rather stay at Real than play Europa League football at Old Trafford next season.
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Pochettino became available following his abrupt departure at Chelsea after just one season in charge.
But it is claimed Poch never really felt that United wanted him.
Brentford also insist they never had any contact from United regarding Frank.
And there were doubts if United would pay the multi million-pound release clause in his contract, or the one tying McKenna to Ipswich.
That left Ten Hag clinging onto his job by his fingertips as he kicked back with a two-and-a-half-week break including a family holiday to Ibiza.
While he was away, the United board conducted a post-season review.
But Ten Hag was not pleased with the pace of the process and the "lack of communication and transparency from the club".
He was kept him in the dark over a process that centred around his future and whether he would be sacked or not.
And Ten Hag only received backing from United after a ream of failed talks with other bosses.
The Old Trafford hierarchy could now make a total U-turn by offering Ten Hag a contract extension, despite being ready to fire him just last month.
United are due on pre-season tour to America on July 24 - but Ten Hag wants his squad revamped by then.
A centre-back, a midfielder and striker are among his top priorities.
And he is believed to be reluctant to cede power to Ineos when it comes to transfers.
United’s new minority owners - in charge of football operations - want to give more power to the recruitment team when it comes to signings.
But it is written in Ten Hag’s current contract that he has a veto on all potential deals.
So it is expected that Ten Hag will demand Sancho is sold following their public fallout last year.
Sancho was loaned back to old club Borussia Dortmund where he rediscovered his form and helped fire them to the Champions league final.
But the damage appears to be done with Ten Hag and the performances in Germany will only serve to interest potential suitors.
Marcus Rashford is another who faces an uncertain future in Manchester.
And his boyhood team are said to be open to selling the forward, who did not make Southgate's Euro 2024 squad.
United finished in eighth last season - their worst in Prem history.
But whether it be the saving grace of the FA Cup win or no suitable replacements, Ten Hag has retained his place at the United helm - for now.
