Express Sport looks at Manchester United's options if Sir Jim Ratcliffe were to sack Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United have five options if Sir Jim Ratcliffe was to pull the trigger now and sack Erik ten Hag. Pressure has once again built on the Dutchman following Saturday's loss to Nottingham Forest.
United went down 2-1 at the City Ground, their ninth Premier League defeat of the campaign. It was their 14th in all competitions on a miserable evening for the Red Devils.
Ten Hag claimed this week that he was looking forward to working with Ratcliffe and INEOS following their agreement to buy 25 per cent of the club. He said the feeling was mutual and the British billionaire was keen to work with him.
However, if Ratcliffe believes the Forest loss was the final straw, he will have several options he could turn to. Express Sport looks at five candidates who could be in line to replace Ten Hag.
Graham Potter
Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea last April. He had a poor spell at Stamford Bridge, lasting less than seven months.
But he is thought to be a leading candidate for the new Old Trafford chiefs. Potter impressed at every club he had been at before Chelsea and has a supporter in Sir Dave Brailsford.
Julen Lopetegui
Former Spain boss Lopetegui left Wolves on the eve of the new season. He impressed in his only campaign at Molineux, leading Wanderers to a 13th-place finish after joining when they were in the relegation zone.
Lopetegui recently claimed he wants to return to the Premier League. He has experience at a big club but lasted just 14 matches at Real Madrid in 2018.
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane has been linked with the United job whenever it has become available in recent years. The France legend has so far only managed Real Madrid in his coaching career.
He wants to manage his country one day but Didier Deschamps' contract does not expire until June 2026. United may attempt to lure him to the Premier League.
Roberto De Zerbi
The only manager on this list who is still in a job. De Zerbi has built a strong reputation having led Brighton into Europe for the first time this season.
He still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at the Amex. But Brighton showed last season with Potter that they'd be willing to let a manager leave if the money is right.
Antonio Conte
Conte remains out of work since being sacked by Tottenham last March. He would certainly get United playing a set style of play, even if it's not the most attractive football.
Whether his style of management would suit the new United board is another question. He left Spurs shortly after a memorable rant criticising the club's hierarchy.
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