Man Utd draw up four-man shortlist of candidates to replace Erik ten Hag ahead of crunch FA Cup final clash with Man City

Ten Hag, who took the reins at United two seasons ago, has faced mounting pressure after the team ended eighth in the league standings - their lowest finish ever in the Premier League era. The Red Devils now face a critical title decider against Manchester City at Wembley, where a victory is necessary to secure European qualification. This situation has prompted the club’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and his team, led by Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, to begin exploring alternatives.

According to ESPN, their search for a new manager has led them to four candidates - all of them having significant experience in English football. Among those being considered are Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, both of whom are currently free agents after parting ways with Bayern Munich and Chelsea, respectively. Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and Brentford manager Thomas Frank have also made it to the shortlist after having impressed with their work at their respective clubs. It has been mentioned that United have already reached out to the representatives of these managers to sound out their availability and conditions.

McKenna, 38, has impressive credentials, having led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions and a return to the Premier League. His prior experience at United, where he served as an assistant to Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, further bolsters his candidacy. The report suggests that McKenna would relish the return to Old Trafford despite being courted by Brighton and Chelsea.

In addition to the aforementioned candidates, other names linked to the managerial role include England manager Gareth Southgate and former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter. These options reflect United's wide-ranging approach as they seek to identify the best fit for the club’s long-term vision.

Within United's new football leadership team, there is a preference for appointing a young, innovative coach over a more seasoned manager. This perspective aligns with the broader strategy of fostering a dynamic and forward-thinking approach. This inclination may influence the decision to favour candidates like McKenna and Frank, who are seen as part of the next generation of top football managers. With several high-profile candidates in contention, United fans are looking forward to significant developments in the coming weeks as the club strives to return to its former glory.