“If you look at the CEO coming in from City and they’re looking to get Dan Ashworth in from Newcastle, they’re going to make a decision quite quickly I think – if not already,” Neville told Monday Night Football.
“I suspect that Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford already know whether they’re going to keep Erik ten Hag as manager next season.
“I can’t believe they’re going to wait until May to make that decision and leave themselves short.
“Where Manchester United have been found out in the last ten years, in recruitment on and off the pitch, is making important decisions too late and not being ahead of the game. I don’t think [Ratcliffe and Co] are going to do that.
“So for me I suspect that they’ve probably come to a conclusion already – it may even be, whether it’s Champions League or not, that they stick with that decision.”
Neville is not the only United pundit to cast doubt on Ten Hag’s future, although fellow club legend Rio Ferdinand believes that the Dutchman’s fate is yet to be decided.
“It depends how [he finishes the season],” the ex-defender told his Vibe with Five show.
“[He could stay] if he runs [the top four] close and they see an upturn in form and an upturn in the environment at the training ground – if they can see something where it’s like, ‘Okay we can see what it looks like going into next season maybe, if we add the right pieces to it as well’.
“Given the structure behind him now it could [change]. A lot of moving parts have to fall into place for him to stay.
“But if they don’t finish the season well and they’re losing games and it looks like the dressing room isn’t a harmonious place…
“And one thing I would say is, I don’t think Jim Ratcliffe and his team are shy of making big decisions.”