Man Utd manager state of play as Erik ten Hag's private stance emerges after fresh twist

It's been quite the international break for and with speculation over his future still rife.

The Dutchman has overseen a poor start to the new season with the Red Devils currently languishing in 14th place after winning just two of their opening seven matches - a run that has caused alarm both on and off the pitch.

and the rest of the United hierarchy . There has been little in the way of updates since but Ten Hag himself is privately convinced that it's business as usual and that he will be in charge when United host at Old Trafford on Saturday - even though it has since emerged the club about taking over back in the summer.

While he turned down the job, it's another hint that Ten Hag could be on borrowed time with Ratcliffe and co. But who is still in the frame to take over? Mirror Football looks at the state of play...

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Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel has been touted as the red-hot favourite to step in if Ten Hag is sacked and it's known he met with Ratcliffe for lunch back in the summer.

But the former chief has shortened in odds for the England job in recent days amid speculation in his native Germany - and it wouldn't be a total shock if those reports were to come to fruition in the coming weeks after a difficult week for interim boss Lee Carsley.

It's said Tuchel would be interested in taking over at Manchester United - but whether he'll still be available beyond the next few weeks remains to be seen.

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Gareth Southgate

If there's doubt over Tuchel still being in the frame, there is, at least, no such drama with Southgate.

He's known to have admirers at the club, particularly among Ineos, but the former England manager has effectively ruled himself out of the running by revealing plans to take a year-long break from football.

He had been touted as a safe pair of hands to take the club forward after his spell with England.

Edin Terzic

Terzic is a new name in the running to take over should United decide a managerial change is necessary following his spell at Borussia Dortmund.

Like Tuchel and Southgate, Terzic is currently unattached after leaving his boyhood club earlier this year. He is regarded highly for his work at the Bundesliga outfit, who he guided to the final last year.

Graham Potter

Another free agent, Potter is also known to have admirers at United and was previously sounded out for a role at Ratcliffe's other club, OGC Nice.

Potter's reputation is still in tact following his ill-fated stint at and he does have an body of work in the Premier League after elevating to new heights.

He is, however, another name who is thought to be in the frame for the England job if Carsley doesn't get the gig full-time. And just like with Tuchel, that could prove to be an issue for United.

Sebastian Hoeness

It's reported he said no back in the summer, but could there be another twist in the tale when it comes to United and Hoeness?

He is one of the few people who is still actually in work being linked with the job, but that's not to say that United wouldn't pay compensation should they perceive he is the best candidate to take them forward if Ten Hag goes.

Hoeness lead Stuttgart to a second-placed finish last year, though, and therefore has Champions League football to look forward to - meaning United could struggle to lure him away.

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