Leon Ten Voorde, one of Erik ten Hag's closest friends, has revealed that he urged the Manchester United manager to resign after he lifted the FA Cup in May. Ten Hag could've walked away from Old Trafford while Ineos explored replacement options before mutually deciding to take charge for a third season and extend his contract until 2026.

He was widely expected to depart after overseeing United's worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing eighth to miss out on European football altogether.

But the shock triumph over Manchester City at Wembley secured Ten Hag's second major trophy in as many seasons and earned him enough credit to survive the summer.

Mass scrutiny has returned, though, with United winning just three of their opening 10 games this term against Fulham, Southampton and Barnsley.

Ten Hag has tasted victory just six times in 20 Premier League outings and once in 10 European matches, intensifying doubts over his future.

And Ten Voorde - considered a friend for over four decades - has recalled advising the Dutchman to walk away while his stock was high after lifting the FA Cup.

"I advised him to leave last summer," Ten Voorde explained on the De Ballen Verstand podcast.

"He won the FA Cup, so you leave through the front door. He's had a lot of injuries this past year. But then trainers think: 'I can turn things around'.

"How long does United think this can go on? That question is now hanging over United and Ten Hag again.

"In general, he is calm and relaxed. But I can't imagine that this leaves you completely unaffected."

All optimism that FA Cup glory sparked amongst supporters has almost evaporated. Back-to-back 3-0 home league defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham accelerated that process.

Defeat at Aston Villa tomorrow could prove to be one miserable outing too many, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected among the United chiefs at Villa Park.

The Red Devils hierarchy, including co-chairman Joel Glazer, will reportedly meet in London on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after the match.

And at the start of the October international break, it would be prime time to make a change if Ten Hag's project is considered to be at a dead end.

The Dutchman continues to insist he is on the same page as the executives who retained faith in him during the summer.

But patience will be just as thin within the walls of Old Trafford as it is among supporters, and drastic action may be required to salvage the sinking ship.