Manchester United linked with Serie A manager as potential Erik ten Hag replacement

Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure at Manchester United following a disastrous second season at the club, with the Reds highly unlikely to make it into the Champions League next year.

Ten Hag’s men have drifted far behind Tottenham and Aston Villa, who are competing for the fourth spot. A fifth-place finish could also be enough to seal a seat at Europe’s fine dining table next year due to changes made in the tournament’s setup next season.

INEOS, the company spearheaded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, acquired 25% of the club earlier this year and the British billionaire is making wholesale changes at a structural level of the club.

Whether replacing the manager falls into the changes Ratcliffe is looking to make remains to be seen but the latest reports have linked Italian manager Thiago Motta to the club as a potential replacement for Ten Hag.

That’s according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, via The Sun, who say that United are one of Motta’s admirers after his fine work with Serie A outfit Bologna.

As per the report, Motta’s management style has caught the eye of top clubs in Europe, with his ‘2-7-2’ formation said to be one of the main attractions.

Motta has guided Bologna to an impressive fourth place in Serie A this season, with his side well on course towards a Champions League finish.

Motta is not the only manager to be linked with a move to the Reds, with Gareth Southgate also hotly tipped to be in the running if a decision is made on Ten Hag.

Last month, it was reported that Southgate was in the running if Ten Hag was sacked, with the former Middlesbrough boss even planning to bring his England staff with him.