At least two potential candidates to replace Erik ten Hag are 'concerned' about criticism from former Manchester United players, reports say.
The Red Devils have insisted the Dutchman won't be going anywhere ahead of their FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City later this month.
But with United seeing their woes worsen with a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night, the writing seems to be on the wall for the 54-year-old.
Ten Hag could yet win a second trophy in as many years but the club are set for their worst-ever Premier League finish, with the fallen eights currently eighth in the table.
Erik ten Hag looks set to be sacked by Manchester United in the near future with results worsening at Old Trafford
PA
Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi and Gareth Southgate are three names being linked with Ten Hag's job.
Yet The Telegraph say at least two candidates are concerned about heavy criticism from former players.
The likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen have turned to punditry since the end of their careers.
And all four men haven't been afraid to stick the knife into their old employers amid their plight since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement a decade ago.
Ten Hag is the fifth permanent manager in the past 11 years.
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all faced the wrath of former players.
And Ten Hag has been criticised for his United side regressing once more.
When it comes to possible replacements for the former Ajax boss, there's no standout candidate.
Tuchel would likely be the frontrunner given he's available, with his Bayern Munich exit already confirmed.
Yet the abrasive nature of the German could count against him, with Tuchel rowing with chiefs at PSG, Chelsea and Bayern over the past five years.
De Zerbi would be a gamble given Brighton have endured a mixed season at the Amex Stadium.
Southgate is yet to win a trophy with England and, for all the work he's done with the Three Lions, would carry an element of risk.
Zinedine Zidane would tick many boxes as a serial winner, having dominated the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Yet the Frenchman may opt to stay clear of United given the huge size of the job.
And fans have already vented their fury over rumours linking Graham Potter with a move to United as well.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Erik ten Hag is in hot water at Manchester United after they were destroyed by Crystal Palace on Monday night
PA
Owen, meanwhile, said on Monday night that Ten Hag deserved to be axed after the Red Devils were battered by Palace at Selhurst Park.
“I’ve said it for a long time that Ten Hag is not the right man for this job, I’ve been saying it for ages and ages," he said. “He cannot, simply cannot, manage the team next season.
“I almost wonder now, they’ve got a cup final and they’ve got a few important games that could mean European football next year or not.
“At some point you’ve got to make a decision, they’re going to get absolutely hammered by Manchester City, they’re going to get annihilated, in fact, Arsenal will smash them to bits at Old Trafford.
"Newcastle will probably beat them and I wouldn’t even fancy them going to Brighton either.
Former Manchester United players such as Gary Neville (pictured) have criticised the club amid a nightmare season under Erik ten Hag
PA
"They might not get anything out of the rest of the season, playing like that.
“I just wonder there’s just so much at stake, even if it’s only for four games, I wonder whether the board might just have to try to do something here and now and be quite radical about it.
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.
"I’ve thought it for ages, and he’s just not good enough to manage Manchester United.”