Man Utd 'lining up world-class manager to replace Erik ten Hag' as leading journalist drops bombshell

Manchester United have decided on their first choice candidate to replace Erik ten Hag, it has been reported.

Ten Hag is under growing pressure at Old Trafford, having overseen United's worst-ever start to a league season since 1990.

A 0-0 draw appeared to ease at least a small amount of that pressure, with Ten Hag adamant after the game that he still had a good relationship with the United hierarchy.

David Ornstein, meanwhile, has claimed that the club's minority co-owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, have yet to hold discussions with any other manager over replacing Ten Hag.

But the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst reports that the hierarchy have lined up Thomas Tuchel as their preferred candidate to take the role if Ten Hag is sacked.

The Red Devils held talks with Tuchel last summer after his departure from Bayern Munich, but he reportedly turned down the role due to concerns over the power structure.

United subsequently agreed a new contract with Ten Hag, which was signed after he guided the club to winning the FA Cup.

Luckhurst claims that one of the key reasons behind the club's pivot towards Tuchel is the fact that he is immediately attainable.

Thomas Tuchel has been linked with the Man Utd job - Getty

The German had a previous spell in English football with Chelsea, where he won the Champions League and Club World Cup in 2021.

It is said that United will hold a meeting in London later this week, with Ten Hag 'expecting' to have his own talks with the club over the coming days.

Speaking after the draw at Villa Park on Sunday, Ten Hag told reporters: "I speak continually with them [Ratcliffe and CEO Omar Berrada] and, just after the game, I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions for you.

"We always talk, every week - I would say every day we talk. So yeah, I expect I would speak with them [this week].

"I don't have any idea that is different, because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent."