Wolverhampton Wanderers' Gary O'Neil to snub any offer from Manchester United?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 29 March 2024

Manchester United are allegedly likely to fail with any attempt to acquire the services of Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil.

Manchester United are allegedly likely to fail in any attempt to attract Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils went into the recent international on a high note courtesy of a thrilling 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

In terms of the team, it kept their hopes alive of silverware this season, with a last-four showdown with Coventry City being added to the schedule for April.

Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag remains under pressure in the Old Trafford dugout, a consequence of United finding themselves down in sixth position in the Premier League standings and six points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

There have been conflicting reports over how new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is in control of football operations, will handle the situation in the summer.

Manchester United co owner Jim Ratcliffe is seen in the stands before the match on January 14, 2024 © Reuters

However, links have started to emerge to managers currently in Premier League jobs, including Brentford head coach Thomas Frank and Wolves boss O'Neil.

Earlier this week, it was suggested that the latter could be offered a role in the United dugout, suggesting that it would be part of "a coaching setup" rather than holding the main role at the head of the first team.

According to talkSPORT, the Englishman is highly unlikely to accept that move at this stage of his managerial career.

The report claims that O'Neil would not want to sacrifice what he has started to build at Wolves, a club that were expected to be involved in a relegation scrap during 2023-24.

Instead, the West Midlands outfit sit in ninth position in the top-flight standings and are in contention to earn surprise qualification for a European competition.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Nelson Semedo celebrates scoring against Fulham on March 9, 2024 © Reuters

As a result of losing to Coventry City in remarkable circumstances in the FA Cup quarter-finals and losing key players to injuries, Wolves are now no more than outsiders to achieve such a feat.

That said, their development under O'Neil has put the 40-year-old, who has just 72 matches under his belt as a senior manager, under the watchful eye of an increasing amount of admirers.

O'Neil possesses a contract at Molineux until 2026 and it is alleged that Wolves officials are ready to try to agree a renewal as early as possible.

Earlier this month, O'Neil also publicly stated that he is not available for a move elsewhere, a stance that Wolves will appreciate and look to reward.

At the present time, Wolves remain in direct competition with Man United courtesy of just six points separating the sides in the Premier League with 10 matches remaining.