Thomas Tuchel already has dream £60m Man United transfer if Sir Jim Ratcliffe decision made

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag finds himself on very thin ice after a season to forget at Old Trafford.

If it wasn't for the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as co-owner, Ten Hag would have likely been given the benefit of the doubt this season. But with INEOS having cleared the decks in the boardroom and a similar decluttering of the squad to follow this summer, it is becoming harder to make a case for the Dutchman to stay.

One of the top candidates to replace Ten Hag should he leave is Thomas Tuchel. The former Chelsea manager is set to leave Bayern Munich in the summer having earned the unfortunate distinction of not winning the Bundesliga.

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However, their Champions League run has helped bolster his reputation again and should he progress to the final of the competition next week, Bayern would be favourites to go all the way and win it. Reports in Germany suggest Tuchel is keen on the project at United but is unwilling to talk until the Champions League campaign is all sorted one way or the other.

Who could blame Tuchel for being interested in the project at United? Ratcliffe is building a best-in-class boardroom and the German head coach would be able to link up with a player he has a fond working relationship with.

Mason Mount's arrival last summer was seen as a risk considering his limited game time and drop in form. This season has also been a struggle for the attacking midfielder who has been plagued by injuries.

It is difficult therefore to remember him as the player Tuchel once had at the heart of his Chelsea team. On Mount previously, he said: "He has the full package.

"Mentally, in terms of talent and physically and the most important part is his character, he has his feet on the ground and he's a nice guy. He comes to Cobham [Chelsea's training ground] every day to learn something new and have new experiences.

"It's a pleasure to have him, be at his side and guide him and support him. It's impressive, he's not affected by all the praise. This is maybe the most important part.

"He seems to be a guy who likes the sport, and feels an obligation to make the most out of it and he wants it absolutely badly, so it's a top mix." This respect is mutual and Mount has already given a ringing endorsement of Tuchel.

"We had a meeting where he [Tuchel] put down everything that he wants us to do, how he wants us to play, how he likes to manage," he said. "He told us everything and then we went out and trained and we had a game the next day.

"So it was a crazy kind of turnaround but he was so clear on what he wanted and how he would like us to play, very clear on the roles and responsibilities, that it made it very easy for us to transition. From day one, as players we realised how he gives his game plan.

"It made it easy for us to go onto the pitch and do it. As a team we are players who react off that and adapt very quickly.

"It made it easy and we want to play in these big games and win trophies. That has always been our goal and since he has come in, he has pushed us and we have definitely had the opportunity to win big games and play in finals."

That last line from Mount will speak to Ratcliffe directly. When the INEOS founder arrived at Old Trafford he set out his pledge to return United back to their pedestal at the top of European football.

Tuchel knows how to condition players to do just that and he already has one player who he knows can influence that change at Old Trafford.