Man Utd 'considered seven managers' before keeping Erik ten Hag as Sir Alex Ferguson favourite revealed
Erik ten Hag is set to remain as Manchester United manager
GETTY
Manchester United had an extensive list of candidates they considered before deciding to stick with Erik ten Hag, according to reports.
Ten Hag's position as United manager was in jeopardy after a disappointing league campaign that saw them finish eighth in the table.
A surprise FA Cup victory over Manchester City gave the Dutchman some respite as they ended the season on a high.
But there was a level of uncertainty on the direction Sir Jim Ratcliffe would want to go in as the United co-owner conducted an end-of-season review.
The British billionaire ultimately decided to stick with Ten Hag, however the Athletic suggest it was far from straightforward.
Erik ten Hag is set to remain as Manchester United manager
GETTY
Gareth Southgate, Ruben Amorim and Roberto Martinez were all said to have been 'considered' in the early stages before being ruled out.
But United are said to have held talks with a host of managers with Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettion and Thomas Tuchel.
It's also claimed that Fulham boss Marco Silva met 'face-to-face' with United officials.
The report goes on to suggest that Pochettino would be Sir Alex Ferguson's pick to take over at Old Trafford.
The Argentine is looking for his next job after leaving Chelsea at the end of the season.
Ten Hag will be hoping to put the manager situation behind him going into an important summer transfer window.
But former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan can't understand why United have decided to stick with Ten Hag.
"I'm in the camp that Ten Hag doesn't get Man United where they want to go," Jordan said on talkSPORT.
"I'm assuming where they want to go is back to the top of the tree again.
Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly still champions Mauricio Pochettino
GETTY
"You can't argue that in two seasons he's won two cups and there's plenty of managers that have been in different positions that are lauded and applauded and ones that have been linked to the United job that have now won anything.
"You have to have that argument in your locker, but when you've got a side that's finished eighth in the league - their worst performance in the Premier League... - you'll find it difficult to suggest that this person is going to take you to the promised land."
He added: "Obviously Ratcliffe and his guys feel that the devil they know may be better than what they were lookng around at.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Marco Silva spoke with Manchester United chiefs
REUTERS
"It feels a little bit like they have alighted upon a decision to stay with what they've got because they haven't been able to find anything better.
"Some people would suggest that not being able to find something better might have been Gareth Southgate and Gareth Southgate's position is a bit of a conundrum because he's managing England during the summer.
"If the answer is Gareth Southgate then I scratch my head if that was your alternative. I have maintained the view that I don't believe Ten Hag has exhibited - from the moment he walked through the door to month 24 - that he has the capacity and capability of being able to take Manchester United back to the very top of the tree."