Man Utd's new four-man Erik ten Hag replacement shortlist after holding Xavi talks
Manchester United are considering a managerial change with Erik ten Hag overseeing a poor start to the season as the likes of Xavi and Edin Terzic are identified
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorManchester United have identified four managers who could replace Erik ten Hag - should they opt for a change.
The Dutchman is under mounting pressure with the Red Devils in the bottom half of the table, having won just three of their eight games. The Old Trafford hierarchy considered a change in the summer, but eventually chose to stick by Ten Hag, but results could yet force their hand.
Xavi is among several managers they are tracking with talks reportedly being held with the ex-Barcelona player turned boss. The Spaniard, who enjoyed a trophy-laden career as a player, recently left his boyhood club. Whilst at the Nou Camp he delivered the La Liga title.
His style of play is also likely to make him an attractive name - coupled with the fact he is readily available. Edin Terzic is another manager who is currently out of work and is being considered by the leading figures in Manchester.
Terzic led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season, upsetting the likes of Atletico Madrid and PSG along the way. He left after their final defeat but impressed enough to get the attention of those at Old Trafford, reports the Daily Mail.
Ruben Amorim is another young manager who has attracted admiring glances around Europe. The Portuguese coach has made Sporting Lisbon a force in his homeland - downing both Porto and Benfica - and has helped unearth a number of players, including United's summer signing Manuel Ugarte.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is the fourth man on United's shortlist. The club's former striker was bought in during the summer to serve as Ten Hag's assistant. He has remained alongside Ten Hag on the Manchester bench, but is likely to takeover initially if the current manager is sacked.
It has been reported that Van Nistelrooy himself, who has managerial experience from his time at PSV, is understood to have reservations about replacing Ten Hag. Given he was bought in to aid the manager he doesn't want to be seen as benefitting from his demise.
Ten Hag himself has remained defiant despite United's chief communications officer admitting at a fan forum meeting last week that the club are "not happy" with their recent form. Toby Craig, who joined from Chelsea over the summer, said: "Clearly we are not happy with the men's first team's start to the season and results are not where we want them to be. There is a huge amount of change going on."
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