Sir Jim Ratcliffe can solve manager problem and deal Liverpool major blow with bold move

Erik ten Hag’s days at Manchester United look numbered and his tone deaf press conference on Monday cast a man who can see the writing on the wall.

Calling those who critiqued his surrendering of a 3-0 lead to a Championship club unlikely to make the play-offs a “disgrace” denotes him either oblivious or nervous. “For me as a manager, four cup finals in four years,” seems more like a CV statement than a reassuring message of unity for fans.

Ten Hag has been included in pre-season planning and transfer discussions but that does not indicate Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s final decision on his future. The Manchester Evening News understands that the INEOS chief has had doubts over whether or not the Dutchman is the man for his long-term project.

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An undisclosed decision on Ten Hag is expected before the end of the season, out of necessity as much as for forward-planning reasons. This summer will see a merry-go-round of managers, sparked by Jurgen Klopp’s forthcoming exit from Liverpool and Thomas Tuchel’s imminent Bayern Munich departure.

If United also wish to change managers, they will have at least two European big-hitters to contend with in their hunt for Ten Hag’s successor, both of whom will be able to offer Champions League football.

One name that has been bandied about, particularly in relation to the job at Anfield, is Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim. In 2021, he guided his club to the Portuguese title for the first time in 19 years and is on track for another crown this May.

Amorim has stayed placid about his future beyond Sporting, but it will be surprising to still see