Steve’s banking on Dave

STEVE McCLAREN is set to escape the Manchester United cull that is expected to claim Erik ten Hag and the rest of his backroom staff at the end of the season.

The former England coach, who was brought back to Old Trafford when Ten Hag became United boss in the summer of 2022, has a long-standing professional relationship with INEOS chief Sir Dave Brailsford.

Brailsford will play a key role in the decision on whether new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides to allow Ten Hag to complete the final year of his contract in the summer after a calamitous campaign at Old Trafford. The Dutchman’s extensive coaching staff would also pay the price for failure – but McClaren (left) is regarded as someone who INEOS can continue to work with in any new managerial regime.

The 63-year-old became friendly with Brailsford when he was Derby boss a decade ago.

He invited the cycling guru to speak to his Rams squad about his philosophy of marginal gains and how he turned Great Britain into the world’s most dominant nation in the sport.

The pair found they shared ideas on sports science and methods to improve sportsmen.

McClaren previously served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant in 1999 and later worked with Ten Hag at FC Twente.