da dobrowin： The Dutchman is on borrowed time at Old Trafford after humiliation in the Manchester derby – but who should replace him?

da gbg bet： Erik ten Hag has done his very best to change things at Manchester United, but after almost two seasons, his team look to be in an even worse state than when he arrived. An excellent first campaign which delivered silverware and a third-placed finish in the Premier League has given way to a harrowing second season, with United falling at the first hurdle in the Champions League and effectively surrendering in the fight to finish in the top four, currently languishing in sixth.

The Dutchman has been allowed to spend £464 million ($590m) on transfers, but still has a squad that pales in comparison to the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, while he has failed to instil a style of play which fans can get behind, demonstrated by his alarmingly negative tactics in the Manchester derby.

Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have taken control of the club's football operation and are targeting a Premier League title within three years. On current evidence, Ten Hag is not capable of delivering that and it is looking increasingly likely that he will not make it to next season.

But who should United appoint as his successor? GOAL has rated all the potential candidates to take over at Old Trafford if Ten Hag does not survive the summer, in order of the most likely…

(C)GettyImages19Jose Mourinho

Mourinho is never far from the conversation when any top job becomes available given his track record for success and his charisma, and no shortage of United fans would like to see him back and given proper backing in the transfer market.

However, his stock has undoubtedly fallen since he was sacked by the Red Devils in 2018, meeting the same fate with Tottenham and Roma as well as increasing his reputation for losing his head and getting into trouble. United would do well to steer well clear of Mourinho, whose methods are out-dated in the ever-changing modern game and who is more likely to leave a legacy of scorched earth than silverware.

AdvertisementGetty18Antonio Conte

Conte is also on the market and United have flirted with the idea of hiring him in the past. The Italian has a more recent record of success, leading Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2017 and the FA Cup in 2018, before ending Inter's 11-year wait to win Serie A. He also quickly turned things around at Tottenham, clinching Champions League football.

However, as with Mourinho, every Conte success comes with a large caveat of simmering tensions with the board and his squad, and his incredible, bitter press conference which led to him being sacked by Spurs is still fresh in the memory.

Getty 17Kieran McKenna

“He’s the most thorough and analytical, step-by-step, process-driven coach that I’ve worked with," said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of McKenna, his former assistant coach. "He makes it so easy for the players to see and understand what we wanted from them."

McKenna worked his way up from being United's Under-18s coach in 2016 to sit by Solskjaer's side when he replaced Mourinho, having also impressed the Portuguese. The Northern Irishman is now thriving as a head coach, leading Ipswich Town to automatic promotion from League One at the first time of asking, and is now overseeing their charge towards the Premier League, heights they have not scaled since 2002.

He would be a bold choice due to his limited experience, but given his background in the club, he is certainly one to watch.

Getty Images16Michael Carrick

Carrick is another member of Solskjaer's former backroom staff who is thriving as a head coach. He took Middlesbrough into the Championship play-offs in his first season in charge and to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in his second, all while playing exciting and attractive football.

As a crucial member of Ferguson's last great side, Carrick would also appeal to fans. However, he will need another couple of seasons under his belt an at a higher level before he can be properly considered for the top job at his former club.