Manchester United's final two candidates to replace Erik ten Hag were Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi before a dramatic sack U-turn.

Manchester United had all but decided to sack Erik ten Hag before a late change of heart saw the Dutchman remain in charge. An eighth-place Premier League finish, the club's lowest ever, had left his position in severe doubt. However, victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley proved crucial in the decision to keep him.

Before that Wembley triumph, the club had identified Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi as their two main candidates to take over, with both men out of work at the time. Tuchel had been moved on by Bayern Munich but boasted huge pedigree, having previously led Chelsea to Champions League glory. De Zerbi had seen his stock rise at Brighton but chose to end his tenure there.

Mauricio Pochettino also interviewed for the position but was ranked behind Tuchel and De Zerbi. United's decision to opt out of appointing Tuchel would prove to be England's gain, with the German now leading the Three Lions. De Zerbi subsequently moved to Marseille and is now in charge of Tottenham.

The decision to stick by Ten Hag proved short-lived, as he was sacked after just nine Premier League games the following season. Ruben Amorim was hired as his successor but lasted only 14 months before being dismissed. Michael Carrick was handed the job on a permanent basis after an interim spell but is now poised for the sack.