Manchester United have already contacted manager they could replace Erik ten Hag with

Thomas Tuchel’s departure this summer may have added to more than just the anxieties of Liverpool fans.

Erik ten Hag and his team may now be sweating over their future at Old Trafford, particularly amidst a rising tide of change following Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover of Manchester United.

The incumbent Bayern Munich boss is understood to hold the Manchester Job ‘high on his wish list’, according to Christian Falk.

“Thomas Tuchel wants to return to the Premier League in the summer,” the head of football at the BILD Group told CaughtOffside in his exclusive FactFiles column.

“Internally at FC Bayern he has said too often what is better in the Premier League. That wasn’t good for his work in Munich.

“He now has the chance to return to England in the summer. One club that is high on his wish list is Manchester United. There have been contacts with United and Tuchel’s management from time to time in the past. Should Erik ten Hag be sacked, Tuchel would certainly listen to an offer.

“But United shouldn’t wait too long. FC Barcelona also has a chance with Tuchel if sporting director Deco sees him as the number one successor to Xavi.”

This follows the 50-year-old and the Bavarian outfit’s mutual decision to end their relationship on June 30 2024 – a year ahead of time.

MORE: Exclusive: Bayern’s trump card could leave Liverpool sweating over Xabi Alonso future

Manchester United in form… but for how long?

The rise of the exciting young triad of Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho appears to have papered over the cracks in the red half of Manchester. For now.

It remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe shares the Glazers’ current faith in Ten Hag and whether the availability of such a prestigious manager in Tuchel could turn heads in the boardroom.

Secure Champions League qualification for 2024/25 and that may be enough to call off the firing squad for another campaign.