Erik ten Hag surprise potential replacement emerges with manager’s future in doubt

A couple of interesting names have emerged

After United beat rivals Manchester City at the end of last season, Ten Hag signed a new contract with the club in the summer but a series of poor results leaving them 12^th in the Premier League table has led to the pressure mounting.

United have just seven points from six Premier League games and previously suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of arch rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford earlier this season.

There have been lots of rumours over who could replace the Dutchman as United boss with former England boss, Gareth Southgate one of the favourites.

However, first team assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has now emerged ahead of Southgate as the favourite to takeover from Ten Hag as per Oddschecker.

Van Nistelrooy managed PSV to two trophies including the Dutch FA Cup in his only season in charge but hasn’t managed since resigning in 2023.

He only joined Ten Hag’s coaching staff in July of this year but is a fountain of knowledge about the club which he played for between 2001-2006.

A new name who has entered the discussions is Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi.

Last season, his side won the Serie A title, and he was named the division’s Manager of the Month on three occasions.

In 2023, the 48-year-old led Inter to the Champions League final where they lost to Manchester City.

According to the Daily Star, those high up at the club are said to be ‘impressed’ with the job Inzaghi is doing at Inter Milan.

They have doubts about his style of play with sources close to the club saying they would like to see him play a more attacking style of football should he replace Ten Hag.

Whether he would entertain the idea of managing United is another doubt given the fact he’s just signed a new contract with Inter and has never managed outside of Italy, but he has worked with several of United’s stars including goalkeeper Andre Onana in the past.