Manchester United consider Champions League winning manager as Erik ten Hag doubts remain

Manchester United are reportedly lining up Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag.

The Reds have endured a terrible start to the season and currently sit 14th in the Premier League following a scoreless draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

It is understood that the result against in-form Villa may ease the pressure on Ten Hag, with his job facing fierce scrutiny despite agreeing to extend his contract at the club in the summer.

The Manchester Evening News now claims that Tuchel is under consideration to succeed Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

The German coach, who won the Champions League with Chelsea, was on United’s radar in the summer as they contemplated switching managers.

Meanwhile, Tuchel remains out of work after leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.

Tuchel met with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the summer to discuss the possibility of becoming United manager.

Ratcliffe has suggested the decision-makers at United will decide on Ten Hag’s future. They include chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Manchester United admire other candidates

Tuchel is not the only manager being considered by United, if they decide to sack Ten Hag during the October international break. Officials are meeting in London on Tuesday but the manager believes he still has the trust of INEOS.

“We communicate very open, very transparent,” Ten Hag told reporters after the 0-0 draw at Villa Park on Sunday.

However, no other candidates are named in the report. We just hope Gareth Southgate isn’t one of them because that would be a seriously underwhelming appointment.

The reason United are in this situation is down to how poorly we’ve started the 2024/25 campaign. Ten Hag’s side are already seven points adrift of the top four and it would take an almighty turnaround to make qualifying a reality this season.