Sir Jim Ratcliffe warned off favoured Manchester United replacement as 'only option' named

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure after a poor second season at Old Trafford

Incoming Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been warned not to replace Erik ten Hag with former Chelsea manager Graham Potter.

United's incumbent boss has been put under increasing pressure this campaign after a poor season. Before Christmas, the Reds had been knocked out of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Meanwhile, their Premier League form offered little in way of solace. Ahead of their return to top flight action this weekend, United sit nine points outside the top four and have scored a measly 22 goals in 20 matches.

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Such disappointing performances have led to speculation regarding Ten Hag's future. MEN Sport understands there is no reason at this stage to suggest the Dutchman's immediate future is in no doubt but it is widely known that INEOS admire Potter's managerial abilities and last year there was reports suggesting Ratcliffe had met with the Englishman in regard potentially replacing Ten Hag.

Speaking to Footy Accumulators, former United striker Dwight Yorke claimed Potter was not the right man to takeover at Old Trafford and there was only two alternatives. "There aren't too many other options out there - a lot of them have already had their chance," he explained.

"People are saying Graham Potter should take over, but he's already had a chance at an elite club. Managers from smaller clubs should always grab the opportunity to take over a huge club at United. Elite clubs have bigger revenues, players, and expectations, and managers should jump at the chance. People say the pressure is huge, but that's just part of the expectation. Everything is better at a big club.

"Those arriving from smaller clubs should aim to go forward instead of backward. Graham Potter had the chance at Chelsea, and I don't think he'd suddenly succeed at Man United. He was a failure at Chelsea and he didn't capitalise."

When asked about possible alternatives to Ten Hag, Yorke named two men who could takeover and highlighted how one club legend should not be contacted. "I think Roberto De Zerbi may have a chance, but that remains to be seen," he said.

"He's one name to consider, but everybody else has had their chance. I don't see anybody outside of Zinedine Zidane and De Zerbi." Yorke added: "I don't see any benefit of appointing Wayne Rooney in a caretaker role should Ten Hag get sacked. Wazza shouldn't be put in that position - especially before me.

"The club may have to consider putting a club legend in charge on an interim basis, but I think Zinedine Zidane is the only option the board should seriously consider right now. Look at the stature he has in the game and what he achieved at Real Madrid."

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