Manchester United 'considering Gareth Southgate, Roberto de Zerbi as Erik ten Hag replacements'

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe having recently been confirmed as a minority owner and put in control of footballing operations, an upheaval is expected at Old Trafford.

As well as that likely to occur on the playing front in due course, Omar Berrada is leaving Manchester City for United to become the new chief executive and United want to bring in Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United as director of football.

Erik ten Hag continues at the helm as manager, but the Dutchman's position remains in doubt with United struggling to qualify for next season's Champions League.

United have lost 11 of their 27 Premier League fixtures during 2023-24 to sit six points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and 11 points behind Aston Villa in fourth position.

Consecutive top-flight defeats to Fulham and Manchester City have left Ten Hag under increasing pressure, leaving Ratcliffe and his newly-formed team with much to ponder.

According to ESPN, each of Southgate and De Zerbi have been placed on United's shortlist of potential replacements.

Southgate is currently preparing for Euro 2024, his latest England squad for the friendlies with Brazil and Belgium due to be announced next week.

However, the 53-year-old only has a contract with the Football Association until the end of 2024, and no decision has been taken on whether he will extend his period with the national team.

Notably, Southgate is no stranger to working with Ashworth, who has previously held the role as the FA's director of elite development.

As for De Zerbi, the Italian is currently attempting to secure a second successive top-six finish for Brighton in the Premier League, which would come at the expense of United with the gap between the teams being just five points with 11 matches remaining.

The Italian is on the radar of several clubs, including Liverpool, having also guided Brighton to the last 16 of the Europa League, where they are preparing to face Roma.

That said, the report adds that paying up the remaining year on Ten Hag's contract and having to shell out compensation for a successor may prove to be counter-productive, a consequence of United already having much work ahead to adhere to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.