Manchester United's latest appointment could be secret weapon to appointing Zinedine Zidane

For better or worse, Erik ten Hag's job at Manchester United is hanging by a thread as we enter the final stretch of the season.

After all the optimism of his first year in charge, Ten Hag has ended up under the microscope as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new era begins. MEN Sport reported this week that the INEOS founder is not completely convinced by the Dutchman and has yet to decide whether he will remain as manager beyond this season.

Ratcliffe has not been frightened to bring in the changes at Old Trafford. Richard Arnold has already departed and John Murtough is on the verge of being rehomed once an agreement for Dan Ashworth has been reached.

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The British billionaire is likely to not think twice about parting ways with Ten Hag if he wishes to and that means a replacement would need to be found. In truth, the decision to sack the current boss will depend on who wants the role if and when it becomes vacant.

Once any top club in European football loses their manager, they become automatically linked with Zinedine Zidane. The former Real Madrid boss has high stock thanks to his accomplishments at the Bernabeu and has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the United job in the future.

Previously, it was believed the Frenchman was unwilling to move to a country where he did not know the language, which ruled out the Premier League. However, reports this week suggest Zidane has softened this stance.

United's hopes have now been boosted further by the official appointment new director Jean-Claude Blanc. The former Juventus CEO was officially added to the boardroom on Friday