Ten Hag was handed an extra one-year contract extension, a lukewarm backing, with sporting director Dan Ashworth laying out the demand for consistency in 2024/25.

Results this season have been underwhelming, with United winning only two of the opening five Premier League matches.

And if they take a turn for the worse, a change could need to be made, Manchester United fans have seen how the pressure builds, and how the manager’s job can quickly be lost.

If a decision was made to sack Erik ten Hag, here is a look at the most likely replacement options…

Simone Inzaghi

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most respected young managers.

Inzaghi is currently in a job and would be unlikely to make the jump mid-season. But if United hone in on the Italian for next summer, there is a chance he could be tempted away.

Inter Live has reported Inzaghi is ‘intrigued’ by the possibility of taking the Manchester United job, and that he is highly admired at the club. One to watch.

Thomas Tuchel

Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel held talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the summer, following his exit from Bayern Munich.

Tuchel continues to wait for a job, and would be ready to jump into the Old Trafford dugout mid-season if the opportunity arose.

One reason not to go for Tuchel is his short-term stints at PSG, Chelsea, Dortmund and Bayern, suggesting he is not the man for a long-term project.

Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate was not available during the summer when Ineos were conducting their review, with Euro 2024 ongoing.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth previously worked with Southgate at the FA and is a big fan of the World Cup semi-finalist.

Appointing Southgate risks being a deeply unpopular call with United fans, with Southgate having no viable track record at club level, and reservations being held over his playing style with England.

Thomas Frank

Ineos spoke with Brentford manager Thomas Frank during their end of season review and came away impressed.

Frank has consistently impressed on modest resources with Brentford in the Premier League and is capable of stepping up a level.

His knowledge of England’s top flight also gives him an edge. His previous experience as manager came at Danish side Brondby.

Julian Nagelsmann

An exciting pick to become Manchester United manager would be current German international boss Julian Nagelsmann.

United recently extended the role of head of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who worked with Nagelsmann previously at the Red Bull Group.

Nagelsmann was also Ralf Rangnick’s recommendation to take charge – but getting him away from the Germany job would be a real challenge.

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Manchester United do have a ready-made replacement ready to step in for Erik ten Hag, even if on a temporary basis.

Former Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is part of the coaching staff, and he has experience managing at PSV Eindhoven, and ambitions for a big future.

Kieran McKenna

One option United also explored in the summer was former Manchester United assistant coach Kieran McKenna.

McKenna is one of the most highly rated young managers in England, leading Ipswich to back to back promotions. He would represent an appointment which is more of a long-term appointment than Tuchel, for instance.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

The ‘break glass in case of emergency’ option, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he would be willing to return to United if he was asked.

Solskjaer would benefit from having a proper structure behind him, if called for a second attempt, yet being without McKenna and Michael Carrick would make his task a lot harder.