Michael Owen and Paul Scholes, revered figures in English football, have vocally advocated for Ten Hag’s removal following Manchester United’s humiliating 4-0 defeat against Crystal Palace. Despite this, there remains a glimmer of hope for Ten Hag as he could be considered indispensable by Ratcliffe and his associates due to a scarcity of appealing alternatives in the managerial market. According to The Guardian, Ten Hag is viewed as a potential candidate capable of salvaging a sinking ship and navigating it through turbulent waters, leveraging his two years of experience at the helm as a crucial advantage over prospective replacements.

However, reports suggest that Manchester United’s management has compiled a shortlist of potential successors to Ten Hag, a decision they plan to deliberate on after the FA Cup final on May 25th. Among the names under consideration are Thomas Tuchel, the departing manager of Bayern Munich, Gareth Southgate, who may become available after England’s Euro 2024 campaign, and Graham Potter, currently without a club following his departure from Chelsea in April 2023.

Tuchel emerges as a formidable candidate given his impressive track record, notably winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021. However, recent setbacks at Bayern Munich and concerns regarding his squad management skills may cast doubt on his candidacy.

Southgate earns praise for his transformative work with the England national team, and his composed demeanor could prove valuable in the demanding role of a Manchester United manager. Yet, his cautious approach to the game may not align with the club’s tradition of bold, attacking football.

Meanwhile, Potter presents an intriguing option with his progressive style of play and success at Brighton in the Premier League. Nevertheless, his underwhelming stint at Chelsea raises doubts about his suitability for the role.

Although Potter, Tuchel, and Southgate are credible contenders, they may not be elite choices that would persuade Ratcliffe to dismiss Ten Hag. Considering the manager’s challenges, including dealing with over 60 injuries during the campaign, Ratcliffe might lean towards granting him more time to demonstrate his capabilities—unless Manchester United endure a humiliating defeat to City in the upcoming Cup final at Wembley.

Manchester United performance and stats

Manchester United is currently 8th in the Premier League with 54 points.

In the last 35 games, it has won 16 times, drawn 6 times, and lost 13 times. In its last match, Manchester United lost 4-0 against Crystal Palace.​​

It has a negative goal difference after scoring 52 goals and conceding 55.​

Manchester United will play the next match in Premier League against Arsenal on Sunday 12th of May in Manchester. The prediction is Arsenal winning the match.​