Inter & PSG legend Thiago Motta emerges as shock candidate to replace Erik ten Hag at Man Utd after masterminding Bologna's top-four tilt in Serie A

United are said to be considering making a managerial change at the end of the season amid growing pressure on current incumbent Ten Hag. New partial owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group are said to be looking at options to step into the role, and Team Talk reports that Motta is one of the candidates being discussed at Old Trafford.

After a successful playing career that saw him win a plethora of titles with Barcelona, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain, the two-time Champions League winner started coaching at senior level with a brief spell at Genoa. He then spent a season in charge of Spezia before being appointed Bologna coach, where he has impressed over the last two years. His team are currently fourth in Serie A and in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

However, he could be lured away from the Italian club before getting the chance to compete in Europe's top club competition as United consider approaching him. A decision on Ten Hag's future is not expected to me made until the end of the season, but it has been reported that the players expect him to be sacked in the summer.

The Dutch manager can boost his hopes of staying on at the Red Devils beyond this season by securing a place in next season's Champions League. United are currently sixth in the Premier League and 11 points behind fourth-place - currently occupied by Aston Villa.