Manchester United 'committed adultery' on Erik ten Hag by sounding out Thomas Tuchel and others to replace him, Andy Cole believes.

The former United striker is astonished at how the club's end-of-season managerial business was carried out so publicly. 

Ten Hag survived INEOS' season review but only found out he had kept his job 17 days after winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

From the week leading up to that game, United chiefs had been speaking with other managers. Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi were all spoken to. 

'Admitting that you've spoken to another manager is like telling your wife that you've been messaging another girl. It's like committing adultery,' Cole told Betfred. 

Man United 'committed adultery' on Ten Hag by speaking to other managers, Andy Cole said

'For Erik ten Hag to claim that he was told by the club that they were speaking to Thomas Tuchel is crazy.

'It's just strange and even more so when you consider how public it's all been.'

While not unusual for United to make moves in the event they sacked Ten Hag after the FA Cup final, that events playing out so publicly was damaging. 

Ten Hag has a year left on his contract and told Dutch broadcaster NOS that he and the club are yet to reach an agreement on an extension. 

'Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement for the new contract. This isn't easily done, we are still going to have to talk about this,' he said. 

'United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager.'

Ipswich boss and former United assistant Kieran McKenna had also been under consideration but he ruled himself out by penning a new long-term deal at Portman Road. 

Ten Hag was on holiday in Ibiza when he learned he would be staying on at Old Trafford after club officials flew out to meet him.

He added: 'Manchester United disturbed my holiday. They suddenly stood at my doorstep. They flew to me in Ibiza.

'Ineos took their time. They are new in football, it's normal to reflect the season. It's no secret that they talked with multiple candidates.

'Here in Holland this is 'not done,' in fact, it's not even allowed here. But in England they have different rules and laws.

'As in any organisation, and that seems very sensible to me, there is an evaluation. Conclusions were drawn from there. The new leadership is playing football for the first time.'