Perfect Erik ten Hag replacement named as Sir Jim Ratcliffe weighs up huge Man Utd call

Manchester United are sticking with Erik ten Hag for now - but the Dutchman is facing a make-or-break week.

While Ten Hag and his players are still licking their wounds following Sunday's demoralising 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham, United still have tricky fixtures against FC Porto and Aston Villa to negotiate. The consequences of failing to win those games could be catastrophic for United's beleaguered manager.

In the wake of another demoralising performance - and with even more questions being asked of Ten Hag - we asked the Mirror Football team who Manchester United should turn to next if they do decide to part ways with the former Ajax chief...

Daniel Orme

Kieran McKenna is the perfect candidate to replace Erik ten Hag.

The Ipswich boss has been an inspired appointment at Portman Road and just knows how to install a winning culture - which is something that the Red Devils desperately need right now. He also knows the club very well after his previous stint as a coach at Old Trafford.

It might be difficult to convince Ipswich to let McKenna leave given he only signed a new contract in the summer. But he might be tempted to take on the role and would be an ideal option should Ratcliffe choose to sack Ten Hag.

Mike Walters

Enough is enough, and now Sir Jim’s politburo must decide whether to have some fun or rebuild in earnest.

If the Ministry of Fun holds away, how about Wayne Rooney lifting morale as standard bearer from happier times?

Or if a steady rebuild under a safe pair of hands is the call, Gareth Southgate - who was probably first choice to replace Ten Hag all along until Euro 2024 got in the way - would make United far more difficult to play against, and much less easy to slice open through midfield.

Andy Dunn

While it would not go down well with a lot of United fans, INEOS should turn to Gareth Southgate, already a good friend of Dan Ashworth and Sir Dave Brailsford.

Yes, Southgate’s experience in club management was not great but that was a long time ago.

Southgate worked with big players in his time at England and got the best out of them. He would certainly get the United team better organised than they were against Spurs and, while many might see him as an unadventurous coach, he is a great communicator - to his players, to the media, to the fans.

Sure, many United followers bridle against the idea of Southgate taking charge but my guess is he would win them over.

Neil McLeman

Ineos decided there was no better alternative in the summer and so ruled out Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel. Now there are two alternatives.

United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed as assistant manager in July and he would be the easiest short-term solution.

And Gareth Southgate, who wanted a break after England, has now had three months off. Manchester United need a culture change in 2024 like the Three Lions in 2016.

Mark Jones

Get rid. Go back in time to the summer and get rid then, if you can. And replace him with... er... maybe Thomas Tuchel.

At least he seems like a strong enough character to stand up to underperforming players and ship out a few who have been there for far, far too long.

Simon Bird

Eddie Howe is the sort of coach who could revamp United within a year and consistently deliver top four finishes. And he’d not need much money.

Howe knows he can’t challenge the elite at Newcastle under current rules. Could he be persuaded to quit St James’ and double his money at Old Trafford, given the recent upheavals on Tyneside?

David Anderson

In terms of who should replace Erik ten Hag, that’s not as straightforward and I’m not sure Gareth Southgate would propel them to the Premier League or Champions League United so crave.

Southgate has many qualities as a man and as a coach, but he certainly didn’t get the best out of England at Euro 2024 and I think it would be the same story at United.

Graham Potter is not good enough and Thomas Tuchel would be interesting, although he is a strong personality, who could cause rifts at United.

His successor may be more of an issue, but there should be no doubt that ten Hag should go.

Dan Marsh

Thomas Tuchel may come with downsides, but he's got both the nous and character required to turn Manchester United's fortunes around on the pitch.

He seemed by far the best option when he was first touted for the role and Chelsea have hardly reaped the rewards from sacking him in the early days of the Boehly-Clearlake premiership.

He's the most suitable candidate for the job and is both available and seemingly attainable for United. Getting him in is a no-brainer.

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