'A quick fix' - Paul Merson tips surprise Manchester United appointment if Erik ten Hag is sacked

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes Manchester United need to make a short-term managerial appointment like Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti if they choose to sack Erik ten Hag.

The United manager is under pressure as we head towards the end of the season. After a disastrous campaign, the one solace is that the Reds have now reached the FA Cup final after a chaotic semi-final win against Coventry City.

Ten Hag's team were looking home and hosed but chucked away a three-goal lead to end up needing penalties to secure their place in the showpiece game. Discussing the Dutchman's future before the matchon Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, Merson said: "Get beat by Coventry? Wow! He would be lucky if he got back on the coach.

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"It cannot happen. It could happen, but there’s no way he would be back in the job. I think something has got to change here anyway."

When asked what he would do if he was in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's shoes, Merson replied: "Personally I think they need someone like an Ancelotti. I know it’s a quick fix, and I know Man United don’t need a quick fix, but if you watched the game the other night (Real Madrid's win over Manchester City in the Champions League), Ancelotti is getting superstars to run themselves into the ground, to leave nothing left on the pitch.

"That’s what I don’t see at Man United." Ancelotti's contract at the Bernabeu expires in 2026 so it is highly unlikely he would make the leap to Old Trafford.

Brighton and Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi, England's Gareth Southgate and former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane are among the names to be mentioned with replacing Ten Hag in the