Kieran McKenna and four managers Manchester United can replace Erik ten Hag with

Erik ten Hag will know his job is on the line after overseeing Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League finish, following Champions League and League Cup exits before Christmas.

United travel to Wembley on Saturday for a repeat of last year’s FA Cup final against Manchester City knowing a win is their final chance to secure European football next season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to make a decision on the manager’s future soon.

The Manchester Evening News understands that Ratcliffe is not entirely convinced about Ten Hag being his long-term coach and has placed Roberto De Zerbi on his potential alternative shortlist. The Italian has now left Brighton and is seeking his next role.

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Meanwhile, United have expressed an interest in Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna after achieving back-to-back promotions to the Premier League. Others have also been connected with the United dugout.

Kieran McKenna

Former United coach McKenna is also attracting attention from Chelsea and Brighton given his immense work with the Tractor Boys, with whom his contract expires in 2025. This is the 38-year-old’s first senior management job, having taken over in 2021.

McKenna offers longevity given his age but is still a risk with just two-and-a-half years of experience leading a club, having yet to do so in the top flight. However, familiarity with Old Trafford may sway him towards United if he does decide to leave Ipswich.

Roberto De Zerbi

Last year, De Zerbi outlined his desire to stay in the Premier League due to his reverence for the quality of football. “I feel good in England, in the Premier League and I have no intention of leaving,” he said at the time.

Nevertheless, Napoli and Barcelona have been linked with De Zerbi, whose potential switch to Bayern Munich looks off the cards. The 44-year-old’s stock has slightly wavered in the last few months and had spoken out against Brighton’s owners - something that might concern Ratcliffe. Chelsea, meanwhile, also remain linked.

Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel confirmed that he will not be staying on at Bayern despite talks over a U-turn on his scheduled exit. The German has not been shy in sharing how he enjoyed managing in the Premier League with Chelsea and how he felt more appreciated.

However, Tuchel’s fractured relationship with the boards at Bayern, PSG and Chelsea are somewhat of a red flag for a newly-established regime at United. That said, he has commonly been popular among players - although that alone may not be enough to convince United into a swoop.

Gareth Southgate

The England boss could leave his role after Euro 2024 with his contract expiring in December. His future is unclear and any move for him would have to come after this summer’s tournament, which could be the crucial factor in an approach.

United would need someone in quicker than mid-July and there’s also the fact Southgate has not managed a club for 18 years. His demeanour, work ethic and level-headedness may well be admired by Ratcliffe, though.

Graham Potter

Potter has reportedly rejected several job opportunities since leaving Chelsea in 2023, most recently Ajax. He is clearly biding his time over his next move having only spent just under seven months at Stamford Bridge.

Potter is akin to Southgate in his personality and thrived under targeted Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth at Brighton. Perhaps he would be the most natural, if not overly exciting, fit under the new United hierarchy.