MANCHESTER UNITED execs reportedly blew the lid on their plans to sack Erik ten Hag by getting on a budget Ryanair flight.
According to the Daily Mail, a team of Man Utd execs took a Ryanair flight to Barcelona to hold talks with Xavi's representatives while Ten Hag was still in charge.
News that United were searching for a new boss while Ten Hag was still at the helm broke in recent weeks.
And the Mail claim that the information had been leaked thanks to United's cost-cutting measures.
New minority owners Ineos have been doing all they can to bring down costs at the Manchester club, but their efforts have seemingly spoilt their chances of confidentiality.
It's claimed that instead of using a private jet to hold talks with potential new managers, United's team of execs boarded a Ryanair flight to keep things cheap.
But that commercial flight blew their cover, with other passengers recognising them on their 'secret rendezvous' to negotiate a new boss at the Theatre of Dreams.
It's said that the team of execs spotted included CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.
United already tried to avoid paying for a private jet earlier this week.
The Red Devils reportedly asked rivals Man City if they could give a lift to Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho to go to the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris.
City had laid on a private jet for their own nominees, but told United that their plane was full and there was no room for Mainoo and Garnacho.
Erik ten Hag was swiftly whisked away in a private jet after he was sacked on Monday.
United appear to be edging closer to announcing Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim as their new boss.
The Red Devils played their first game of the post-Ten Hag era last night.
Led by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, Man Utd battered Leicester City 5-2 to book their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.