Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘first-choice’ manager is a risk as Manchester United send out a huge problem

Manchester United’s season review is in full swing after a fine end to a difficult season.

Erik ten Hag’s side ended their campaign in the best way possible by beating Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final. The result means United will compete in the Europa League next season.

However, the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford is still uncertain Manchester Evening News understands a decision may be announced by next week. In our latest look at the media headlines, we look at who is tipped to be INEOS’ first choice to replace Ten Hag should he leave.

READ MORE: United not planning imminent Ten Hag move

READ MORE: United’s player ratings of the season

Southgate ‘first choice’ for INEOS

According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney podcast on Sky Sports’ Back Pages, INEOS have always regarded England boss Gareth Southgate as their first choice to take over as head coach at United should Ten Hag leave. This is believed to have been difficult due to fan sentiment towards the Dutchman after winning the FA Cup.

However, the bottom line appears to be among “key INEOS employees” that Southgate is the future for United.

What MEN Sport says: It’s hard to criticize a decision Sir Jim Ratcliffe hasn’t made yet, but it seems difficult to back Southgate for the United job. While the England boss undoubtedly gets an unfair stick, managing an international team and a national club are two very different jobs. Southgate has done well in English football before with Middlesbrough, but that time at the Riverside Stadium was nothing to write home about. Also, if Ratcliffe is determined to bring Southgate to the club this summer, the earliest he could be available is the end of June, but if the Three Lions go deep into the tournament, it will realistically be , mid-July before it is available. All of a sudden, that pushes him well for Southgate to hit the ground running at Old Trafford. He would be a huge risk and one United shouldn’t even consider taking him.

United hit a big problem with Casemiro

According to Goal Brazil, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are reluctant to meet United’s valuation of Casemiro this summer. The Reds are understood to want £30million to sell the former Real Madrid man.

However, Middle Eastern clubs Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Qadisiyah who have shown interest in the Brazilian do not want to reach this figure.

What MEN Sport says: There is a real concern for United that clubs in the Saudi Pro League have become wise about how they spend their riches. Last summer, Chelsea managed to transfer some of their biggest earners to the division, which gave them a Financial Fair Play (FFP) boost. But it looks like the Reds won’t be so lucky if they want to part with a player who has underperformed this season. It’s clear now that spending that much money on Casemiro was a mistake, given that there’s no resale value there. However, if they can’t secure even a £40million drop on the midfielder, it’s a huge problem.