“Manchester United players share their preferred candidate to take over for Erik ten Hag if he is dismissed.”
“Man Utd Players Reveal Their Top Choice to Replace Erik ten Hag if He’s Sacked”
The players in the Manchester United dressing room have reportedly reached a consensus on their preferred choice for a new manager.
According to a recent report, Manchester United’s squad has a clear idea of who they want to take over as manager. Following a disappointing stretch of results, including a humiliating 3-0 loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford last weekend, it appears that the team has lost faith in Erik ten Hag.
After starting the season with a victory over Fulham, United has since gone three matches without a win, dropping to a troubling 13th place despite significant summer spending. New signings Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt have shown potential, but Zirkzee has not met the fans’ expectations for a prolific goalscorer.
De Ligt’s man-of-the-match performance in the recent 3-0 win against Southampton, where he also scored, was impressive, but concerns linger about his fitness and ability to adapt to the Premier League’s pace.
The Daily Star reports that the United board is awaiting the upcoming autumn international break to evaluate their options. Despite winning the FA Cup against Manchester City at Wembley last May, speculation regarding Ten Hag’s future has been rampant throughout the summer, with United reportedly reaching out to multiple candidates for the role.
Ten Hag, however, recently signed a contract extension that lasts until at least 2026—assuming he remains in charge that long.
Reports indicate that the players would prefer an internal appointment if Ten Hag departs, with United legend and current assistant manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy being the top choice. The 48-year-old is well-regarded at Old Trafford, thanks to his impressive record of 150 goals in 219 appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Since retiring in 2012 after a stint at La Liga’s Malaga, Van Nistelrooy has ventured into coaching, starting with Jong PSV in 2021 and moving up to the first team a year later. During his time in the Netherlands, he led PSV to success, winning the 2022-23 KNVB Cup and consistently qualifying for European competitions.
Other notable names have also been mentioned for the job, with Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan being a leading candidate. Former England manager Gareth Southgate is also in contention following his exit from the national team after the Euros final against Spain.
