Man Utd 'eye up' two potential Erik ten Hag replacements including Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane

Two names have emerged as potential contenders to replace under-fire Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag. 

Wednesday’s 3-0 home defeat against Newcastle United that saw United exit the Carabao Cup was a new low point in an already desperately poor season. 

Pressure is mounting on the Dutchman to turn things around quickly, starting at Fulham on Saturday lunchtime. While The Athletic say there is no imminent possibility of the Red Devils boss being dismissed, The Times report two potential replacements in the Old Trafford dugout have been identified. 

With Ten Hag said to be on “thin ice”,  Zinedine Zidane and Rúben Amorim are reported to be on the shortlist of those who could take over from the struggling former Ajax boss. 

Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid back in the summer of 2021, his two stints with the Spanish giants his only senior spells as a manager after a legendary playing career. 

The three-times Champions League winner, 51, would represent a big name appointment while Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim would see United turn to more of a rising star of the coaching world. 

Just 38, he was linked with Tottenham before they brought in Ange Postecoglou having guided Sporting to a first title in 19 years back in the 2020-21 campaign. The former Benfica midfielder has also had a stint in charge of Braga. 

As things stand, Ten Hag has vowed to fight on. “I take responsibility for it,” he said after the Newcastle defeat. “I see it as a challenge. I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players and that we stick together and fight together, and get better results.”

If United did decide to make a change, something complicated by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ongoing bid to take a 25% stake in the club after a year of protracted takeover talks, it would reportedly cost £15milion to end Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford.