BREAKING NEWS: Zinedine Zidane, the former manager of Real Madrid and three-time UEFA Champions League winner, has been named as the new manager of Manchester United following Erik Ten Hag’s dismissal.

Thomas Tuchel, previously considered a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, may no longer be in contention. Reports suggest that Tuchel is in discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding the England national team manager’s position, which could make him unavailable for a move to Old Trafford.

The pressure is mounting on ten Hag, as Manchester United’s performances have been inconsistent, winning only seven of their last 30 matches across the Premier League and European competitions.

Despite surviving a lengthy meeting with top club officials, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Joel Glazer, and Sir Dave Brailsford, ten Hag’s future remains uncertain, with ongoing scrutiny surrounding his performance.

Although many believe Tuchel would be an ideal candidate to revive Manchester United, discussions between Tuchel and Ratcliffe earlier this summer did not advance, with Ratcliffe reportedly reluctant to pursue Tuchel after spending £1.3 billion on a 28% stake in the club.

Instead, Ratcliffe may have set his sights on another high-profile candidate, Zinedine Zidane. Foot Mercato reports that Ratcliffe and INEOS have expressed interest in bringing Zidane to Manchester to replace ten Hag.

Zidane, currently waiting for the right managerial opportunity since stepping down from Real Madrid in 2021, achieved great success with Los Blancos, winning two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League trophies from 2015 to 2018.

However, Zidane may face delays in his ambitions to manage France’s national team, as current manager Didier Deschamps shows no intention of stepping down before the 2026 World Cup. Deschamps, who led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup, is reportedly not eager to relinquish his position to Zidane, fearing Zidane’s legacy may overshadow his own achievements with the team.

If Zidane becomes available, Ratcliffe could take the opportunity to secure him for Manchester United, especially if Tuchel is no longer an option.

For now, the club’s leadership is focused on supporting ten Hag, hoping for an improvement in form following the October international break. However, if results don’t improve soon, ten Hag may not last until November’s international break. As United navigates these turbulent times, fans can’t help but reflect on the club’s golden era, including the 1999 treble-winning season.