Erik ten Hag's popularity as Manchester United manager has soared for two reasons

Erik ten Hag is currently the most popular he's been among Manchester United fans in the last six months for two reasons: he oversaw a special victory against Liverpool last weekend and, most importantly, England manager Gareth Southgate is the bookies' favourite to replace him.

The fanbase is split on whether Ten Hag should remain at Old Trafford, but even those who prefer him to part ways would rather he continue than Southgate be appointed.

Southgate is underqualified to manage the biggest side in England and his last experience in club management saw Middlesbrough relegated from the Premier League.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made an excellent start to life as co-owner of United but hiring Southgate would be a spectacular backward step, and it would risk his goodwill with supporters.

United fans must have spat their lunch out in shock when seeing links to Southgate yesterday because although he's done an admirable job with England, he's not close to the calibre of manager the club should be courting following Ratcliffe's investment.

The problem is the list of potential candidates to replace Ten Hag is uninspiring. It's easy to pick holes in the other market leaders - Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel, Ruben Amorim, Zinedine Zidane and Simone Inzaghi - and they make the Dutchman's case to keep his job stronger.

However, the elephant in the room is that if Ten Hag is only keeping his job because there is a lack of alternatives, then he is staying in his position for the wrong reasons.

Ten Hag was appointed on merit after an excellent three-and-half years with Ajax and shouldn't keep his job by default,