Erik ten Hag was seen in what seemed to be a fiery exchange with assistant boss Ruud van Nistelrooy during Manchester United's stalemate at Aston Villa, sparking speculation.
The incident caught on video and circulating social media depicts both Dutchmen in an animated discussion. Ten Hag, noticeably agitated, appears to gesticulate towards the ex-PSV Eindhoven boss, who is seen listening intently.
The intense conversation unfolded over several seconds before the clip concludes with ten Hag wearing a clearly discontented expression. Social media users have been left to speculate about the language of their debate, with calls for adept lip-readers to decipher the dialogue emerging.
United's performance at Villa Park ended goalless but their maintained defensive record saw them taking home a single point. After the match, Erik ten Hag commented on his side's offensive challenges while commending their defensive efforts, saying to Match of the Day: "We had that resilience, the whole season," and "This tells you we are in a good direction. Now also we improve defending counter attacks, and we improve controlling possession. But also we have to improve in the final third.
"First of all Rasmus [Hojlund] is returning. When he is up to full speed he will help us. But also other players have to take responsibility. I am very pleased with the performance of [Marcus] Rashford, twice he came close to goals. [Alejandro] Garnacho has been good all season. But also other players can score, we have to step up in that area."
United have scored just five goals in their seven Premier League games, while their eight point total is their lowest in the Premier League era. Only 19th-placed Southampton have scored fewer than United, though winless Crystal Palace also have five goals to their name.
Their next two matches come against teams just above them in the table, but with worse defensive records. After the international break they will host a Brentford side who have conceded 13 times in seven games, followed by a trip to face a West Ham outfit with nine goals conceded in their four home games and 11 in total.
The fixtures could provide an opportunity for United's strikers to get back among the goals, with no player scoring more than once in the league for Ten Hag's team. The underwhelming record hasn't impressed former United star Paul Scholes, who took aim at the team after Sunday's draw.
Scholes has lambasted Manchester United's attacking output, lamenting the team's lack of quality upfront on SuperSport: "In forward areas especially, I just don't think the quality is there," Scholes said. "We go back to the most successful teams, they're capable of scoring goals. What have we scored? Five goals in seven games."
He continued by comparing the current squad with prolific scorers from United's past, adding: "Now we had three or four forwards who could get you 20 goals so you're looking at 80 goals a season there and I just don't see that in the forward line at Manchester United. Look, Hojlund does alright but is he gonna score you 20 goals? I don't think so."
Scholes further added doubt over Joshua Zirkzee's ability to hit the net with regularity, questioning his position and contribution: "[Joshua] Zirkzee... what is he? Is he a No.9 or a No.10? Is he going to get you 20 goals? I don't think so. I think they're relying more on hope than actual proven quality and they spent so much money as well."
