Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was reportedly unimpressed by the list of potential successors to Erik ten Hag. Ruben Amorim is nearing his one-year anniversary at Old Trafford and is finally experiencing a successful spell as the club's head coach. His appointment from Sporting was overseen by Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. Ashworth, the ex-Newcastle United chief, abruptly departed the club shortly after Amorim's arrival.

Despite facing scrutiny last season and during the current campaign, Amorim has navigated through the challenging times, guiding United to three consecutive victories and within touching distance of the top four. However, The Guardian reports that things could have unfolded differently. A managerial shortlist featuring Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Thomas Frank was allegedly drawn up.

The report also suggests that rumours about Gareth Southgate's chances of taking over at Old Trafford were dismissed by United insiders.

The former England boss was also recently touted as a possible replacement for Amorim, as was Newcastle manager Howe.

It has been claimed that Ratcliffe deemed the shortlist 'uninspiring' as he turned to Ashworth to deliver a definitive roster of...