Man United are set to make a final decision on Erik ten Hag’s future THIS week… as Thomas Tuchel emerges as strong candidate to replace him after holding talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Si Jim Ratcliffe has held talks with Thomas Tuchel in Monaco, with Manchester United set to reach a conclusion on the management position at Old Trafford this week.

While no final decision has been made on the future of current incumbent Erik ten Hag, officials have spoken to a number of potential replacements.

Former Chelsea boss Tuchel met new investor Ratcliffe in Monaco last Tuesday. During the meeting, Tuchel outlined his plans if he were given the job of replacing Ten Hag, who has yet to learn his fate.

The German talked about how he would tackle United’s various issues on the playing side and revealed how he would whip outcast Jadon Sancho and underperforming Mason Mount – who he worked with at Stamford Bridge – back into form.

According to a report in German publication Bild, which Mail Sport understands to be accurate, Tuchel also named ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as an example of his ability to get the best out of his players.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will make a final decision on the role of Manchester United boss this week

The club has not yet made a final decision on the future of the current incumbent Erik ten Hag

Ratcliffe and his Ineos group investigated the position. United’s shock FA Cup victory over rivals City has complicated matters and is said to have given Ten Hag’s case a boost.

While there can be no doubt that an eighth-place finish alone can be seen as a significant underachievement, mitigating factors – not least the club’s crippling injury list – have been identified.

There is a theory within the group that judgment on the Dutchman should be reserved until he has had a chance to work in the stable, elite and supportive environment that Ratcliffe and co are trying to create.

The failures of previous great managers such as Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, along with the reign of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, have led to a theory that previous managers were not given the right tools to succeed.

As Mail Sport revealed, a lot of work is being carried out at the club’s training ground in Carrington this summer to provide these tools.

A lot of attention has also been paid to preventing a recurrence of the injury crisis that wreaked havoc on Ten Hag’s squad and consistently denied him the opportunity to start in his favorite team.

Either way, Tuchel is one of several potential replacements United have lined up. Others include Brentford boss Thomas Frank, ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Tuchel’s fellow former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Ineos will make as many transfer funds available as possible, but significant overspending in recent seasons has left United walking a tightrope when it comes to the Premier League’s financial fair play rules.

Other candidates for the job include ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi (left), Brentford boss Thomas Frank (right) and Tuchel’s fellow former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino left Chelsea after just a year in charge following a tumultuous season at Stamford Bridge

Therefore, they are looking for a manager who has a reputation for getting the best out of players, as significant turnover within the existing squad is unlikely.

The arrival of Omar Berrada as CEO in July, along with Jason Wilcox as technical director and possibly Dan Ashworth as sporting director, are all seen as moves that will complement the manager in his bid to return United to the top flight of world football.