De Zerbi could already be in Red rehearsal

WHETHER or not Ineos have yet made the final decision on Erik ten Hag's future this summer, it would be expected that they are starting to draw up a shortlist of potential candidates to replace the Dutchman if he does depart.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

Ten Hag reached a century of games in charge at the weekend but his grip on the job has never been looser after a nightmare season. The manner of the performance against City at the Etihad in a second successive Premier League defeat would also have concerned Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

When Ratcliffe agreed a deal with the Glazers to buy 25 per cent of the club last October, Ten Hag wasn't really a concern. The Reds had started the season poorly, but the 54-year-old had credit in the bank from last season and there were considered to be mitigating factors.

Now a decision on what to do with the former Ajax manager is a priority for Ineos. A managerial change in their first few months as decision-makers wasn't planned, but they might have little option but to act.

If they do, then finding a replacement won't be easy. When Ralf Rangnick was holding the fort in the second half of the 2021/22 season, it quickly became clear it was a toss up between Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino to get the job full-time. There are no obvious candidates to come in this summer.

Xabi Alonso is the most wanted manager of the summer, but United clearly won't be able to attract the man guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a remarkable season. Beyond that, it feels like every candidate has question marks around them.