Roberto De Zerbi fits Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Manchester United plan amid Erik ten Hag decision

If you were to poll Manchester United supporters, you would most likely find them split on Erik ten Hag's future beyond this season.

Some will argue he deserves more time and has been unlucky with injuries, while others may point to incoherent plans on the pitch and some disastrous results this season. United's new decision maker Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be assessing the same questions.

Undoubtedly Ratcliffe will understand the issues Ten Hag has had to contend with but while he makes changes at boardroom level, there will be a temptation to change manager too. Speaking to the media last week, the 71-year-old insisted that the Dutchman's future will be decided by those he appoints into key positions - the likes of Omar Berrada and almost inevitably Dan Ashworth.

READ MORE: Ten Hag facing uncertain United future

READ MORE: What De Zerbi has said about his future amid United interest

He also promised that the Reds would have a clearly defined style of play and the manager would be required to fit into that philosophy, something which has worked a treat for Brighton & Hove Albion recently. Many concluded the Seagulls would go into a downward spiral when Graham Potter left but a ready-made replacement was waiting in the wings in Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian continued the 'Brighton-style' and pushed them into the Europa League. This is a blueprint of sorts for Ratcliffe with MEN Sport understanding that De Zerbi is a manager of interest to United.

In many ways, INEOS admire how Brighton work and appointing a head coach who has a more focussed remit is something United want to move towards. De Zerbi would fit the bill and interestingly MEN readers also backed the Italian as the next manager back in December before