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Ten Hag's Future in Doubt as INEOS Explores Alternatives

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Friday, February 27th 2026 at 15:27 GMT by London Evening Standard
      Locales: UNITED KINGDOM, PORTUGAL

Manchester, England - February 27th, 2026 - The pressure is mounting on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag following a string of disappointing results, and reports are swirling that the club's new ownership group, INEOS, is actively exploring alternatives. Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim has emerged as the leading candidate to replace the Dutchman, with the pursuit reportedly intensifying in recent days.

The Red Devils suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to Fulham last weekend and were subsequently eliminated from the FA Cup by rivals Manchester City on Wednesday. These setbacks have amplified existing concerns about United's trajectory under Ten Hag and cast a long shadow over his future at Old Trafford. While Ten Hag secured a FA Cup trophy last season and returned the club to Champions League competition in his initial campaign, those successes now seem distant memories amidst a current slump that sees United languishing in sixth place in the Premier League - a significant 14 points behind league leaders Manchester City and only narrowly ahead of the chasing pack.

Sources close to Sporting Lisbon have indicated to Standard Sport that Manchester United are giving serious consideration to Amorim as a potential successor. The 39-year-old Portuguese manager has quickly established himself as one of Europe's most promising young coaches, lauded for his proactive, attacking style of play and his ability to implement tactical flexibility. This aligns perfectly with the vision of INEOS, who have signaled their intention to take a more hands-on approach to footballing decisions at United, seeking a manager who can rebuild the team in a modern and dynamic image.

While no official approach has been made to Amorim or Sporting Lisbon at this time, the growing speculation and clear signals emanating from Old Trafford suggest a decision is looming. INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have been publicly evaluating the club's structure and performance since completing their acquisition of a minority stake, and the early indications are that significant changes may be on the horizon. Ten Hag's tactical rigidity and apparent inability to consistently unlock opposing defenses have reportedly become major points of concern for the new ownership.

Amorim's success at Sporting Lisbon has been noteworthy. He's led the club to two Portuguese Cup titles (2022 and 2024) and has instilled a vibrant attacking philosophy. Crucially, he's known for his data-driven approach to player recruitment and development - a method increasingly valued by forward-thinking football clubs. He has a proven track record of identifying and nurturing young talent, something United desperately need to address given the age profile of several key players in the current squad. His ability to extract maximum performance from a relatively limited budget at Sporting has also impressed observers.

The potential appointment of Amorim represents a clear shift in strategy for Manchester United. It signifies a desire to move away from the more established, traditional managerial profiles and embrace a younger, more progressive coach. The club is likely hoping Amorim can inject a much-needed spark into the team and restore the winning mentality that has been absent for far too long.

However, replacing Ten Hag will not be without its challenges. The Dutch manager still has supporters within the club who believe he deserves more time to turn things around. Furthermore, securing Amorim's services will likely require a substantial compensation package, both in terms of a release clause and personal wages. There will also be competition from other top European clubs who are monitoring his situation.

The coming weeks are crucial for Manchester United. The club's form will be heavily scrutinized, and any further setbacks could seal Ten Hag's fate. Amorim, meanwhile, will be carefully assessing his options and weighing up the opportunity to take on one of the most challenging and high-profile jobs in world football. The future of Manchester United is at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming days could define the club's direction for years to come.