Explained: Why Man Utd are taking so long to make Erik ten Hag future decision

It was initially reported that the Dutch coach would be sacked this summer, despite guiding the team to an FA Cup final win against Manchester City. However, the Red Devils are yet to confirm Ten Hag's fate as players, staff and fans await news on who will be in charge at Old Trafford next season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group have not yet made a final call on whether or not Ten Hag will remain in charge, The Independent reports. INEOS have made England manager Gareth Southgate their favoured candidate to take over as head coach, but he is refusing to discuss his future until after his team's Euro 2024 campaign. INEOS are determined to get the call on their next coach correct and do not want to sack Ten Hag until they have his replacement in line.

In case they cannot lure Southgate away from England, United have already started looking at other candidates. The likes of Brentford manager Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, who are all without clubs at present, have all been considered. None of those options have convinced the United decision makers that they are the perfect choice for the job, however.

The Premier League team will hope to open talks with Southgate as soon as possible and come to a decision regarding their next manager. The pressure is on whoever is in charge next season to improve on their eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.