Manchester United’s hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, have wasted no time in compiling a shortlist to replace the sacked Ruben Amorim, with reports emerging on January 5, 2026 – just hours after the Portuguese’s departure – that Enzo Maresca sits third among the leading candidates.
The Italian, freshly available after his New Year’s Day exit from Chelsea, has been linked due to his proven tactical nous, trophy success (Conference League and Club World Cup), and prior connections: both CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox worked with him during his Manchester City days. Maresca’s possession-based, Pep-influenced style is seen as a potential reset from Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3, and his immediate availability makes him an attractive option for a swift appointment.
But it’s the names ahead of him that have truly set the United fanbase alight with debate, excitement, and outright controversy.
First on the shortlist: Gareth Southgate.
The former England manager, currently out of work after stepping down following Euro 2024, is viewed by some in the boardroom as the steady hand needed to restore culture and stability. Southgate’s track record – two European finals, a World Cup semi-final, and rebuilding the national team’s identity – appeals to those prioritizing leadership over flashy tactics. However, fans have reacted with fury on social media, branding it a “safe but boring” choice that lacks the ambition United crave.
X exploded with reactions:
- “Southgate No.1 on United’s list? We’re doomed. International football merchant who parks the bus. Pass.” – Viral post with 100k+ impressions.
- “If Southgate is top of the shortlist, INEOS have learned nothing. We need a winner, not waistcoats.” – Trending thread.
- Yet some defended: “Southgate would unite the dressing room and get us top 4. Pragmatic over hipster hires.”
Second: Thomas Tuchel.
The current England boss, contracted until after the 2026 World Cup, represents the polar opposite – a serial winner with Champions League glory at Chelsea, Bundesliga success at Bayern, and a reputation for elite-level intensity. Sources indicate United admire his man-management and adaptability, seeing him as the “big-name” statement hire. A summer move could be feasible post-World Cup, aligning with reports of a potential caretaker (Darren Fletcher currently interim) until then.
Fan reactions? Pure chaos:
- “Tuchel second? YES PLEASE. Proven winner, hates losing – exactly what we need after Amorim’s mess.” – Thousands of likes.
- “Tuchel to United after England? Imagine the meltdown if he ditches the Three Lions mid-cycle 😂” – Memes flooding timelines.
- Controversy brews over nationality: “English club hiring the England manager? FA would go nuclear.”
Rounding out the reported top three is Maresca, whose inclusion has sparked irony given his recent Chelsea stint and City ties. “From Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford in days? Football is wild,” one fan quipped.
Other names circulating lower down include Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace’s FA Cup winner, praised for flexibility), Xavi (out-of-work Barcelona legend), Unai Emery, and even Julian Nagelsmann (post-World Cup availability).
With United sixth in the Premier League – three points off Champions League spots – and tough fixtures ahead (Burnley midweek, then Brighton in the FA Cup), pressure mounts for a quick but smart decision. Fletcher takes charge initially, but the shortlist’s top duo – the cautious Southgate and the combustible Tuchel – has divided supporters like few before.
Is this a sign of pragmatic rebuilding or another cycle of fan discontent? The debate rages on as Old Trafford awaits its next chapter.
