In nine games across all competitions this season, Manchester United have only won thrice and Erik ten Hag’s position is increasingly coming under threat.
Back-to-back home league losses by a 0-3 scoreline have added to the pressure and if results against Porto in the Europa League and against Aston Villa in the Premier League do not go United’s way, INEOS might have to take a call.
Already rumours of the new co-owners looking at potential replacements are doing the rounds with assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy among the favourites along with long-term managerial target Gareth Southgate.
Journalist Duncan Castles, via Football Transfers, has claimed that Fulham boss Marco Silva could be a dark horse to consider should INEOS pull the plug on the Ten Hag era this season.
Silva emerges as a surprise option
The new hierarchy would prefer someone who has considerable knowledge of the English top-flight and the Portuguese manager certainly knows his way around.
He has previous experience of managing Hull City, Watford and Everton before his switch to London to manage the Cottagers and the 47-year-old is looking for the next step in his career.
His time at Craven Cottage has been a roaring success, as he guided them back to the top-flight with his team scoring a record 106 goals in the Championship. He has guided them to 10th and 13th in the previous two seasons and they are currently sixth.
“I think you have got to look at whether they go for someone who is experienced from inside the Premier League. Maybe some unexpected candidates might come to the fore,” Castles said.
Castles knows Gestifute clients well
“I’m thinking of someone, for example, like Marc Silva, who now has close to 200 Premier League games of experience and has obviously done a very strong job getting Fulham back into the Premier League and keeping them there quite comfortably and currently has them six in the Premier League.
“I know Silva does not see Fulham the final step in his career, and it has been very keen to the extent of turning down Champions League jobs and other countries at bigger clubs.
Silva’s agent is Jorge Mendes, who is known to be quite close to Castles and either this report could be just agent talk to try and secure a more lucrative deal at Fulham or the argument could actually hold some water.
Silva’s current contract is valid until 2026 and it will be interesting to see whether INEOS actually go after him or choose someone else.
Feature image Bryn Lennon via Getty Images
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