Sir Jim Ratcliffe Names Three-Man Shortlist to Replace Ruben Amorim at Man Utd

Manchester United have drawn up a three-man shortlist to replace Ruben Amorim as pressure mounts on the ex-Sporting boss.

Amorim watched on as his side crashed to a 3-1 loss at Brentford in Saturday’s lunchtime kick off.

Igor Thiago bagged an early brace to fire the Bees into the lead before Benjamin Sesko halved the deficit with his first goal since his arrival from RB Leipzig in an action-packed first half in the capital.

Bruno Fernandes missed a second half penalty that would have hauled United level, his second such miss of the season, only for Mathias Jensen to wrap up the three points late on, a result that means United have failed to win successive league games since Amorim’s appointment last November.

United have won only two of their six opening league matches this season and were dumped out of the EFL Cup by lower league Grimsby in the second round in what has been a miserable start to the 2025/26 season.

And Saturday’s west London loss has amped up the pressure on the board to relieve Amorim of his duties as the Premier League powerhouse continue to struggle under the 3-4-3-loving head coach.

United's three-man shortlist revealed

talkSPORT are reporting that United have drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential replacements for Amorim should the club opt to axe the 40-year-old - although there's no suggestion that his departure is imminent.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola and former England manager Gareth Southgate are the names on Sir Jim Radcliffe’s shortlist.

Glasner is working wonders for Palace having guided the Eagles to FA Cup and Community Shield glory in recent months, successes that have come in the midst of an 18-game unbeaten run.

Iraola is another that has his admirers at the club, though both would be difficult to attain with the pair firm favourites at their respective clubs.

Gareth Southgate is a rumoured target for Man Utd (Image: Getty)

Southgate, meanwhile, is out of work following his exit as England boss following the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 defeat to Spain and was a favourite of former United sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Recently sacked manager also an option for United

However, the trio aren’t the only names in the hat, with a potential left-field choice also wanted by the club.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Graham Potter is one that appeals to the hierarchy despite his recent sacking as West Ham boss.

Potter was relieved of his duties as Hammers boss on Saturday morning and replaced with former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo just two days before their Monday Night Football showdown with Everton.

Potter has disappointed following his Brighton departure for Chelsea in September 2022, and was sacked at Stamford Bridge after just eight months.

The 50-year-old lasted just nine months at the London Stadium helm but Potter could make a rapid return to Premier League management.