Possible candidates for the next Manchester United manager arise following a meeting with Graham Potter, sparking speculation about Erik ten Hag’s potential dismissal.

Erik ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford is precarious, and there’s speculation about a potential dismissal by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The looming question is: Who might step in as the next manager for Manchester United?

Erik ten Hag is facing intense scrutiny, with his position as the Manchester United manager in jeopardy before their challenging visit to Liverpool on Sunday.

United’s lackluster exit from the Champions League on Tuesday, losing 1-0 at home to Bayern Munich and finishing at the bottom of Group A, intensified the pressure. The squad has been significantly depleted due to injuries this season, and with over 10 key players sidelined, Ten Hag faces a daunting trip to Anfield.

The unexpected 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth last weekend placed United in sixth position in the Premier League, trailing Man City by six points in fourth place. A defeat against the table-topping Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield would widen the gap further and increase the pressure on United to part ways with Ten Hag. However, the decision might be influenced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent partial takeover, valued at £1.25 billion for a 25 percent stake in the club. While Ten Hag was initially believed to be secure under Ratcliffe, a ‘secret meeting’ between the billionaire and Graham Potter suggests there could be different plans. The question remains: Who might step into the managerial role at Old Trafford?

Who would be the ideal choice for the next manager of Manchester United?

The Sun has reported that Ratcliffe recently met with former Chelsea and Brighton manager Potter in a secret meeting. Ratcliffe had previously attempted to lure Potter to OGC Nice, the French club he owns. Given Potter’s apparent high regard by Ratcliffe, a poor result at Anfield, reminiscent of the 7-0 defeat last season, could prompt a managerial change as the first step in a new era at Old Trafford. However, considering the financial implications, with the cost of sacking Ten Hag and his staff exceeding £15 million in compensation, this move could be challenging for United, especially as they are approaching financial fair play (FFP) limits and have a limited January transfer budget. Moreover, compensating a rival club for hiring their manager and staff would entail additional costs, making it a costly decision without guaranteed success.

Given the current financial constraints, available managers like Potter, Zinedine Zidane, Julen Lopetegui, and Antonio Conte, who are currently unattached, present potential options. Roberto De Zerbi, who has achieved notable success with Brighton, could be considered, although the Seagulls might be reluctant to lose another manager to a top-six club. While De Zerbi might not command an exorbitant fee, questions may arise regarding his experience and whether it meets Ratcliffe’s criteria.

When considering former Manchester United players, there are limited standout options. Michael Carrick has previously taken on the role of caretaker at Old Trafford in 2021, but accepting the managerial position at United currently could pose challenges and potentially undermine the progress he is making at Middlesbrough. Regarding international choices, Gareth Southgate and Julian Nagelsmann have been linked to United in the past. However, luring them away from their current roles with England and Germany, respectively, before Euro 2024 might prove to be a formidable task.