The first step in rebuilding Manchester United, according to former Sky Sports host Richard Keys, is firing Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman’s job at Old Trafford is still in jeopardy after the Red Devils’ 1-0 loss to Newcastle on Saturday night due to outwork.

United sits bottom of their Champions League group and five points behind Aston Villa in fourth position, which has led Keys to demand that Ten Hag be fired. Keys feels it’s time for the former Ajax head coach to leave and be replaced with Xabi Alonso. Only Crystal Palace and the four lowest-placed Premier League sides have scored fewer goals than United this season.

Alonso played brilliant football for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009 before accepting the position of manager at Bayer Leverkusen following his retirement. He led the team to the top of the Bundesliga. Keys, though, has proposed that he be granted a five-year guarantee at United, much to the protection Sir Alex Ferguson received in the past.

“What is the answer to what has happened at Manchester United?” Keys asked on beIN SPORTS. “I thought about that a lot and here is my theory. I would thank the current coach for his time. If I couldn’t go out and get my top target immediately I would then be treading water until I can.

“But the man that I think that Manchester United should get… United are no longer in a position where if top players become available, they are going to sign for United. They are just not going to sign for Manchester United anymore. They can’t go out and do what they once did and sign everybody else’s best player.

“In my view, Manchester United should go now to Leverkusen and they should say to Xabi Alonso: ‘We want you to come to Old Trafford. We will give you Saudi League money and we will guarantee you five years’. Which is what Fergie had when he first went to Manchester United.”