INEOS identify Erik ten Hag replacement after Man Utd's defeat to Fulham

Roberto De Zerbi is a target for Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group have identified Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag.

The pressure is on Ten Hag once again after United’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The defeat, which came after a six-match unbeaten run, was arguably United’s worst performance of the season and leaves the Red Devils eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

United finished bottom of their Champions League group and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup after a 3-0 defeat at home to Newcastle.

Despite speaking enthusiastically about the prospect of working with Ratcliffe, there is considerable pressure on Ten Hag – who has less than 18 months left on his contract.

INEOS have already appointed a new CEO, and Dan Ashworth is set to join as sporting director.

Their next major decision is over Ten Hag’s position, and the Manchester Evening News say Ratcliffe is not ‘completely sold’ on the Dutchman.

Roberto De Zerbi masterminded Brighton’s 3-1 win over Man Utd at Old Trafford earlier this season (Picture: Getty)

That’s led to INEOS drawing up a list of data-driven alternatives and De Zerbi is said to be high on their shortlist.

The Italian has been a revelation at Brighton, picking up from where Graham Potter left off to turn the Seagulls into one of the most admired teams in Europe.

Brighton finished sixth last season – ahead of the likes of Spurs and Aston Villa and are seventh this term, just five points behind United.

Erik ten Hag is under pressure again after defeat against Fulham last weekend (Picture: Getty)

The former Shakhtar Donestsk boss is said to be a leading contender to replace Pep Guardiola, when the Spaniard decides to leave Manchester City but recently revealed he has designs on returning to Italy at some stage in his career.

‘When I hear that the big teams are interested in me, it’s an honour, it makes me proud, but my focus is on my work, day by day,’ he told Sky Sports earlier this month.

‘About my future, I speak with the owners and the club because I want to compete in the best way that I can, I want to understand the plan, and then it’s not a problem to work at a big team or at another big team.

‘I’d like, in my career, to compete to win the Premier League, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Champions League, but there isn’t a time where you have to go or have to compete, or you have to wait more time.

‘I love my country, I love Italy, I love Italian football. I don’t know, for sure one of my targets is to go back to working in my country but I don’t know when the time will be.

‘I feel very happy in the Premier League, and I have to say thanks to Brighton, the league, all the coaches and people. Living in the UK, the problem is not where you work but how you work, not the place.’

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