POSSIBLE SUCCESSORS…

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Proven winner managing egos at Real Madrid to two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies, would command respect of dressing room but language barrier could be a problem.

MAURICIO POCHETTINO

United would love to have him as a long-term solution and he has Premier League experience, but he finds trophies elusive and unlikely to abandon Paris Saint-Germain mid-season.

ANTONIO CONTE

Premier League winner with Chelsea, available and would instil organisation and discipline. But expensive upheaval guaranteed with United squad not a great fit for his preferred playing style.

BRENDAN RODGERS

Probably the best fit from the UK. Gets teams playing good football and has a cup pedigree. Previous Liverpool connections would see limited goodwill from the stands with anything less than early perfection.

ROBERTO MANCINI

Enhanced his excellent reputation by turning around Italy and would not balk at handling United stars, but history in blue half of Manchester and World Cup challenge next winter make him an unlikely fit.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ

Has experience of Premier League from time at Swansea, Wigan and Everton, has taken Belgium to No.1 in the FIFA rankings and style of play might suit, but fans remain lukewarm.

JULEN LOPETEGUI

One Europa League trophy with Sevilla hardly makes the former Spain and Real Madrid manager – he lasted two months at the latter – a standout candidate but in his favour he clearly interviews well.

ERIK TEN HAG

Ajax boss with a decent reputation, albeit built in shallow waters of the Eredivisie and on one stellar Champions League run in 2019. Former centre-half lacks stature for a job of this size.