Man United could poach Man City's ideal Pep Guardiola replacement with favourite to succeed Erik ten Hag

Just 14 competitive games after Erik Ten Hag led Manchester United to an FA Cup win over Manchester City, the Dutchman has been sacked at Old Trafford.

United went into that FA Cup final amid widespread reports that ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the result. Victory saw him earn a reprieve and belatedly a new contract. But 14 games into the new season (including a Community Shield defeat to City), and Ten Hag has finally been sacked.

City will watch with interest with what happens now, and not just because United are their biggest rivals and they will now face a derby on December 15 against a different manager. There is also an element of significance in City's own manager search when Pep Guardiola leaves, with the early favourite to be the next United manager also strongly linked with the Blues.

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Ten Hag led United to two wins against City from seven games, including that FA Cup final. His first derby, at the Etihad, was a 6-3 humiliation while he also lost 3-0 at Old Trafford in his second season and 3-1 at the Etihad, as well as in the Community Shield this season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will take interim charge as United search for a new head coach - notably different to Ten Hag's position as manager - and he is odds-on favourite to be the permanent successor at Old Trafford.

Of the external candidates, however, Ruben Amorim of Sporting is the second-favourite having reportedly turned down West Ham in the summer. His stock has risen since, and has been strongly linked with a future City vacancy if Guardiola leaves at the