Three possible replacements for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

Despite the speculation, it is understood that the club are currently planning for Ten Hag to remain in charge, but the situation will likely change if the team struggle in the closing stages of the 2023-24 campaign.

A top-four spot in the Premier League table now looks beyond reach, sitting 16 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, so a position in next season's Champions League is highly unlikely.

Man United's new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe must decide, along with his team, whether Ten Hag is the right manager to lead the team under the new structure.

However, with a change more than possible, Sports Mole takes a look at the three current favourites to replace the Dutchman at the helm this summer.

Gareth Southgate (England)

The links with Southgate are not dissipating, with the current England head coach viewed as the favourite to replace Ten Hag, should a change occur at the end of the season.

The 53-year-old's work for England should be commended, having led the Three Lions to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and final of Euro 2020, while the national team are being tipped to challenge for the Euro 2024 crown.

Southgate has not been in charge of a club team since 2009, though, managing Middlesbrough for three years, and his appointment would be a risk due to his lack of experience at club level.

The England manager has been credited with improving the team spirit in the England camp, and there is no question that he is well-liked by his players, but there remain serious question marks over his ability to deliver major trophies and his in-game decision-making skills.

Southgate's contract with the Three Lions is due to expire at the end of December, and he could well move on after this summer's European Championship, with a switch to Old Trafford certainly a possibility.

Graham Potter (out of work since April 2023)

Potter's impressive work for Ostersunds FK, Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion led to him becoming the Chelsea manager in September 2022, but he struggled to make his mark at Stamford Bridge.

The 48-year-old took charge of 31 matches for the Blues, boasting a record of 12 wins, eight draws and 11 defeats, and he has been unemployed since leaving the capital outfit in April 2023.

Potter was one of the most highly-regarded managers in England due to his strong work at Swansea and Brighton, but his reputation was somewhat damaged by his spell at Chelsea.

Ratcliffe is believed to have already held a meeting with Potter, who would surely jump at the chance to become Man United's new boss, even taking into account the size of the job at Old Trafford.

There are risks for him, though, as another poor spell and eventual sacking would leave him in a difficult spot in his career, and Man United really cannot afford to get another appointment wrong.

Like Southgate, Potter has not won a major trophy at managerial level, but the same cannot be said for the third name on this particular list.

Thomas Tuchel (Bayern Munich manager)

Tuchel is seemingly emerging as a genuine option for Man United, with the 50-year-old preparing to leave Bayern at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

The Munich giants have fallen short in the Bundesliga this season due to the brilliance of Bayer Leverkusen, but Tuchel could deliver the Champions League trophy to Allianz Arena before leaving this summer.

Tuchel started his managerial career at Augsburg and has since taken charge of Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern.

The experienced manager won the German Cup at Dortmund, six trophies at PSG, including two Ligue 1 titles, while he delivered the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup to Chelsea.

Tuchel also won the Bundesliga last season, and he certainly knows what it takes to get teams over the line, which is a quality that makes him a prime candidate for the Man United job.

His relatively short time at each club since leaving Mainz will be a concern, though, as Ratcliffe is looking for a long-term option, and he is currently behind Southgate and Potter in the pecking order.