The Red Devils have taken 21 points from their last 15 Premier League games. With the club currently sitting in sixth place in the league table, the Norwegian’s time appears to be running out at Old Trafford. In the Europa League, Manchester United are yet to confirm their place at the top of Group L, despite having a relatively easy group on paper. The current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be sacked if results at Old Trafford don’t turn around soon.
Here are the top five candidates for the Old Trafford hot seat:
1. Mauricio Pochettino
Having left Tottenham last month, the Argentinean is heavily linked with the United managerial job. He was consistently linked with United as Jose's tenure at Old Trafford neared its end. He took Spurs to the Champions League final for the first time in their history last season. At Tottenham, he has proved that he can develop a team of youngsters and create a Champions League regular team with a relatively modest budget. He also has the experience of the Premier League which makes him the most suitable candidate for United's managerial position. United have a plethora of young talent at their disposal and it may be the right time for them to bring Pochettino in.
2. Massimiliano Allegri
Very few Italian managers can offer a resume as good as Allegri's. Allegri spent four seasons at AC Milan winning the Serie A in 2010/11. He joined Juventus in 2014 and spent five seasons in Turin. He won the Serie A in all five seasons at Juventus and also reached two Champions League finals (2014/15, 2016/17). He is the manager with the highest win percentage (70.4\%) in the history of Juventus. He is available, having stepped down last summer. Lack of experience outside Italy and an accusation that he gives results only when he has extraordinary talents at his disposal count against him.
3. Erik ten Hag
Manchester United don't have a positive experience with the last Dutch manager they hired. Erik ten Hag took Ajax to their first Champions League semi-finals since 1997 after beating Allegri's Juventus in the QFs. He won the Eredivisie last season with Ajax. He has a reputation of improving young players and attractive style of play makes him the smartest choice among all. Erik's arrival may also bring Edwin Van der Sar back to the club. His brand of football would suit the Premier League well. Ajax have started this season strongly despite losing their best players suggests that last season wasn't a fluke.
4. Eddie Howe
AFC Bournemouth were 19th in League One in October 2012 when Eddie Howe took over the Cherries for the second time. They are now 12th in the Premier League and have been in the top flight since 2015. The 41-year-old has already achieved great things at a very unfashionable club, who let's not forget were founded in the 19th century and didn't taste top flight football until 2015. Any other country in the world and Howe would have been offered a top job by now. He would be a good fit for United. He improves players and plays good football and that too with very less resources. Counting against Howe is his lack of experience of top clubs and handling dressing room with high wages.
5. Laurent Blanc
Former Manchester United centre-back is reportedly keeping tabs on Manchester United job. He is keen on returning to management. His last job was with Paris Saint-Germain three years ago. Blanc has a good history with his previous clubs, winning silverware almost everywhere. He began his managerial career at Bordeaux in 2007, winning the 2008/09 Ligue 1 title. In 2013, he was hired by PSG, where he won the league title in all three seasons. He has proved that he can improve and promote academy players. Kimpembe, Rabiot & Coman are prime examples of that. He can be good managerial choice for the Red Devils.
