Manchester United Shortlist Roberto De Zerbi, Gareth Southgate to Replace Erik Ten Hag: Reports – News18

The Red Devils are in hell this season, as Erik Ten Hag seems to be at the helm of one tumultuous season for Manchester United this year. And with bad results come bad news, as per latest reports, United are looking to possibly replace the Dutchman as three names have been added to a shortlist.

A decision on Ten Hag’s future is not expected to be made until the end of the season, but it has been reported that the players expect him to be sacked in the summer.

Some names have already been making news with regards to possible replacements for Ten Hag at Old Trafford, and the biggest of them all has been the highly-sought after Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi is one of the most desirable mangers in world football currently, with the likes of multiple clubs such as Barcelona, Chelsea and now United seeking the services of the attack-minded Italian.

But, in a grim turn of events, United’s choices have now come to include the highly-debated and controversial Gareth Southgate.

Southgate has a notoriously disputed reputation, having led England to a Euro Final and a FIFA World Cup semi-final, but his reputation for dismissing blossoming in-form talent has also been recorded.

United stand in a tricky position, as they are in desperate need of not just instant success, but the foundation to grow a culture of success for years to come once again: something that the club has been lacking since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from the club back in 2013.

Despite their moments of resilience and the rare yet occasional moments of brilliance, United’s biggest issue continues to be what it has always been over the past couple of seasons: finding consistency.

With the free reign that Ten Hag had in terms of the transfers he could bring into the club this past summer, United faithful would have expected the Dutchman to draw up some identity for the club moving forward. But, that has not been the case.

With the likes of Antony misfiring, or rather not firing at all, this season, and an injured Rasmus Hojlund, United slumped to another low this past weekend, as rivals and defending champions Manchester City ran riot over the Red Devils in a 3-1 romp of the visitors at Etihad.

Currently, United stand sixth in the Premier League, a dreary 11 points away from fourth which would guarantee Champions League qualification, and the only competition they are currently in the running for is the FA Cup after having lost out on the Carabao Cup and getting kicked out of the Champions League in embarrassing fashion, finishing dead last, earlier this season.

With the entry of new owner Jim Ratcliffe and an impatient United, there may exist the possibility that the Dutchman may be shown the exit door, if the Red Devils continue their dismal form.