(4-3-3) Manchester United line up under Thomas Tuchel as Board set to finally announce the arrival of the German Tactician after the international break
Manchester United appears to be on the brink of a significant managerial change, with Thomas Tuchel emerging as a prime candidate to replace Erik ten Hag. After a string of uninspiring results, including draws against Porto and Aston Villa, the club’s leadership seems to be losing patience with their current manager. According to a report by the Manchester Evening News, the German tactician is being lined up as a potential successor to ten Hag, following another lackluster start to the season for the Red Devils.
Though Manchester United didn’t lose either of their recent matches, their performances have raised concerns. Against Porto, the team struggled defensively, and their attacking display against Aston Villa was notably absent. This follows a dismal 3-1 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford, which left fans questioning the Dutchman’s future. United currently find themselves in 14th place in the Premier League, with a goal difference of minus three and only Southampton, newly promoted to the top flight, scoring fewer goals. With ten points already separating them from league leaders Liverpool, it’s clear that the club is in a precarious position.
This season’s poor showing stands in sharp contrast to last year’s disappointing campaign, where injuries were at least a partial excuse for the team’s failures. This time around, ten Hag has no such buffer, and the pressure is mounting. Since February, INEOS, the organization that now has full control over Manchester United’s football operations, has been closely monitoring the situation. They conducted an extensive review of last season’s performance to assess the root causes of the team’s poor form. The review aimed to determine how much of the responsibility fell on ten Hag and how much could be attributed to external factors.
During this review period, several potential replacements for ten Hag were considered, with Tuchel being one of the leading names on the list. The former Chelsea manager had caught the club’s attention during the summer, but negotiations between United and Tuchel reportedly fell through for reasons that remain unclear. Despite these setbacks, United’s renewed interest in the German coach indicates that they are now more willing to revisit the possibility, even if it means compromising on certain conditions that may have caused talks to stall earlier. The ongoing struggles under ten Hag may have pushed the club into a position of desperation, making them more open to securing Tuchel’s services.
The Manchester Evening News also notes that while Manchester United has other managerial candidates in mind, many of these individuals are currently under contract with other clubs, making their pursuit far more complicated. In contrast, Tuchel, who has been a free agent since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season, represents an option that is both viable and immediately available.
While there is reportedly some reluctance among the Old Trafford hierarchy to cut ties with ten Hag just two months into the new season, the team’s poor performances may leave them with little choice. This hesitation comes despite their decision to extend ten Hag’s contract by a further year, showing that the club had faith in him going into the new campaign. However, considering that ten Hag is now in his third season and that much of the squad has been shaped according to his vision, the continued poor results are alarming.
From this standpoint, the appeal of Tuchel becomes more apparent. The German coach brings with him a wealth of experience, having managed top clubs in both the Premier League and across Europe. His reputation for tactical flexibility and success at the highest level of the game could be exactly what Manchester United needs to turn things around. As the international break looms, it seems increasingly likely that the club will take this opportunity to announce a new chapter under Tuchel’s guidance.
