Zidane among candidates linked to Old Trafford move

There’s no smoke without fire. The overwhelming 0-3 home defeat in the Manchester derby then being dumped out of the EFL Carabao Cup by Newcastle (0-3) have done a lot of damage to Erik ten Hag’s credit as manager. And the doubts regarding the Dutch coach’s continuity are increasing. Ten Hag finished his first season in charge at Old Trafford by winning the EFL Carabao Cup – United’s first trophy in six years – and as FA Cup finalists.

Following the defending champions’ elimination, the Manchester Evening News reported that “a few Manchester United players are beginning to doubt Erik ten Hag”. National newspaper The Times has delved even deeper into the wound: “Manchester United is studying alternatives to Erik ten Hag, who is considered to be treading on thin ice after directing the club’s worst start to the season in 61 years,” the daily noted. But the claims don’t stop there.

The recent 0-3 defeats at Old Trafford have put Ten Hag “at risk of dismissal” and candidates are already being considered to succeed the coach who was drafted in to rebuild the team. The club is believed to be considering Sporting Clube coach Rúben Amorim and Zinédine Zidane as possible replacements, although the situation is greatly complicated by the uncertainty over ownership .

In addition to the names of Unai Emery and Julen Lopetegui provided by AS, the former Real Madrid coach would be on the list of options. However, as The Times points out, the purchase of a quarter of the club by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who hopes to assume “responsibility for decisions on football matters, such as the manager’s position” means that United will not to rush into their decision-making. And the club insists that it is “committed to Erik ten Hag” adding that, “The report claiming that we are exploring alternatives to Erik ten Hag as manager is categorically false”. Ten Hag is under contract until 2025, and believes that he can change the shape of the team.

According to information from talkSPORT, “the Manchester United board has no immediate intention of dismissing Erik ten Hag”. The broadcaster states that “Manchester United does not want to fire Erik ten Hag” and, ahead of the next league match against Fulham on Saturday, “Everything remains the same at the club’s training complex in Carrington” but they do point out that “the relationship with veteran players is less harmonious”.

The Dutch coach’s future at United depends largely on the results he obtains in the next few matches since the fixture list is starting to look less ominous with Premier League matches against Fulham, Luton and Everton, as well as the Champions League matches against Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Matches that United are obliged to win if they are to climb into the top positions in the table. They are currently eighth on 15 points in the Premier League, and third in Group A in the Champions League - still in with a chance of making the next round.