Manchester United have made a slow start to the season under Ruben Amorim who is under increasing pressure, while former England manager Gareth Southgate has been touted as a potential successor
Thomas Fair Community Editor and Manchester Evening News readers
13:28, 17 Sep 2025
Gareth Southgate, head coach of England, celebrates after the team’s victory in the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United have made a slow start to the season under Ruben Amorim, who is under pressure and could find himself replaced if results don’t improve. As a result, some fans in the Manchester Evening News comments section have been sharing their thoughts on the managers who could be available to take up the post in the near future.
Amorim needed a run of results to prove that a summer of significant spending and a full pre-season with the squad was enough to put the nightmare of the previous season to bed. United have four points from four league games, and they are out of the Carabao Cup thanks to Grimsby Town – but Amorim is insistent that he won’t change his approach.
The Mirror reports that the Portuguese manager has three games before the club hierarchy reassess the season, and that could result in Amorim being sacked before the year is out. According to the bookmakers, the list of most likely replacements includes Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, who has impressed since his appointment and won the FA Cup.
Also on there are Bournemouth’s exciting young coach Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, and former England and Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate. Previous target Mauricio Pochettino could also be persuaded to ditch a difficult stint in charge of the US national team before the World Cup.
Fans aren’t sure which direction they’d go in if they were forced to make the decision, but Southgate is one manager who seemingly isn’t getting many votes at all.
Reader Unitedtilidie says: “If Utd do appoint Southgate they will have truly given up. There is only one worse manager and that is Amorim They need to get it right this time, whoever the next manager is. They want someone experienced in PL management, that knows how to win, and change their tactics when required.”
Commenter Garth123 writes: “I don’t think the board will sack Amorim. Should he go, then for me anyway, the natural replacement would be Oliver Glasner. The main differences is that Glasner is more flexible and changes things on the field and has been more successful in using the system.
“Something we haven’t seen under Amorim is enough tactical flexibility. Maybe we don’t have the right players as yet, and to be fair this was Amorim’s first window, and normally it takes 2 or 3 windows to rebuild a team especially if funds are limited.”
RociLal says: “Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Marseille’s De Zerbi are the only two suitable choices. Nuff said about Southgate.” Ronmu adds: “My choice of a new manager is Roberto De Zerbi.”
Neckson writes: “I have heard other managers say they would have won titles with same English team that Southgate had. We have good players already at United, so we don’t need Southgate. He’ll only repeat what he did with good England team; no title. How about Nuno Espirito Santo? He has always ended up qualifying for Europe.”
Colombo says: “Pochettino for me, though any of the names mentioned would change this team into a top 6 team by the end of this season. And every one of them wouldn’t be so egotistical about a 3-4-3 formation!”
On our Facebook page, Jack Zenith says: “Unai Emery looks good, got the Premier League experience as well as pedigree with winning European trophies. Could bring along Emi Martinez with him as well.”
Ducu Dringau writes: “From this list, I prefer Glasner or Iraola. Please, don’t bring Southgate.”
PK Ahubley adds: “Go get Luis Enrique. Or Klopp to come and rebuild the team. We need the most elite coach. Spend the money and get that coach once and for all.”
Have your say! Who would you line up to take over at Manchester United if Amorim leaves? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.