MANCHESTER UNITED fans joked Sam Allardyce is ready to replace Erik ten Hag – after he was spotted with Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford.

United denied Liverpool the chance to move to the top spot in the Premier League after drawing 2-2 with the Reds.

Former England manager Allardyce has been unemployed since leaving Leeds last summer.

The 69-year-old was spotted at half-time in a VIP box with minority owner Ratcliffe and his trusted No2 Sir Dave Brailsford.

And fans joked that Allardyce’s presence means Ten Hag’s days at the club are limited.

One said: “Sam Allardyce at OT. Obviously ETH days are numbered.”

Another added: “Jim Ratcliffe in conversation with Sam Allardyce there. Just a chat, of course, but wouldn’t it be hilarious if he appointed him as United manager? The only appointment funnier than Gareth Southgate.”

A third then said: “Is Sam Allardyce gonna be our new manager?”

A fourth fan wrote: “Jim Ratcliffe talking with Big Sam Allardyce at half time it’s over for Ten Hag.”

Allardyce has had a lengthy managerial career leading 12 different teams. That included four years at West Ham where he led the Hammers to Premier League promotion in 2012. Since then the Englishman has been in charge at Sunderland, the England national team, Crystal Palace, Everton, West Brom and Leeds.

But in June last year, Allardyce left the Championship side after they were relegated to the second tier.

Erik ten Hag has endured a difficult season at United after they crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages.

And he faces an uphill battle to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season.

But the Dutchman did manage to kick Liverpool out of the FA Cup after beating Jurgen Klopp’s side 4-3 in the quarter-final last month.

Ten Hag will need to prove to Ratcliffe in the final games of the season that he is the right man to lead to Red Devils squad.