Van Nistelrooy, Potter, Tuchel - Man United next manager odds after Erik ten Hag's defiant response

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists he does not fear the sack from Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he prepares for what could be a pivotal week at Old Trafford.

Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was described as 'embarrassing' on Tuesday night by former United defender Rio Ferdinand and left the club in mid-table, six points off the top-four. However, in an interview with Sky Sports, Ten Hag addressed rumours regarding his future and sent a defiant message.

"I'm not anxious (about losing my job)," he said. "We're in here together.

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"We know the strategy, with young players in a transition period and we know in this process this can happen. But in the end, in May, in all of my last six seasons there were trophies and this is what we are all aiming for."

That has not stopped the bookmakers from offering short odds on Ten Hag to be replaced by New Year's Eve, though. Still leading the way, according to bet365, is Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The former United striker arrived in the summer as part of Ten Hag's new look backroom staff and recently expressed his desire to rebuild the club 'little by little'. Van Nistelrooy has previously held a top managerial job at PSV Eindhoven before becoming Ten Hag's No.2.

According to the odds, there are four men vying to be Ten Hag's successor. Behind Van Nistelrooy is ex-England boss Gareth Southgate, who is well liked by Ineos, former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, who was approached by the United boardroom in the summer, and another ex-Blues boss in the form of Graham Potter.

Potter appeared on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football this week but refused to be drawn on whether