Man Utd DOUBLE DOWN on preferred Ten Hag replacement

Stuart Telford

• 16 Apr 2024 10:00 BST
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag is likely to be sacked by Manchester United at the end of the season, and the club will push hard for their first-choice replacement, despite previously being told he was out of reach.

Ten Hag's era - if it can be called that - started well, with a Carabao Cup win and third-place finish in the Premier League last season. But things have begun to unravel this year.

United are winless in four, and Ten Hag stormed out of a press conference when it was put to him they were on course for their worst finish in Premier League history.

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He then had to put out a fire with Alejandro Garnacho after the Argentine youngster liked a pair of posts from Mark Goldbridge on X (formerly Twitter) questioning the decision to take him off at half-time of United's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday.

Thiago Motta has emerged as a top target to replace Ten hag after lifting Bologna from the bottom of Serie A towards Champions League qualification, and now transfer specialist Rudy Galetti has shot down reports in Italy that he is Juventus-bound.

'No agreement with Juventus

"Man Utd are increasing their pressure on Motta," he posted on X. "Ten Hag's position is still at risk and the Bologna coach is currently the preferred name if the Dutchman will leave.

"Thiago hasn't yet made a decision on his future: despite rumours, there is no agreement with Juventus."

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Motta could bring nascent striker Joshua Zirkzee with him, although United have other options should Juventus ultimately win the race.

According to CaughtOffside: "Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte are liked by United, with both set to be available this summer. Brighton's Roberto de Zerbi is also a name being considered."

It is also understood that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a fan of former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter.