It is starting to feel more like when not if Ruben Amorim will be dismissed as Manchester United head coach. "Change the man" was his assessment of the situation when asked if he'd consider changing up his system, not words that suggest there is full confidence he is "the man" for the job.
Amorim has spoke a good game ever since arriving in November last year but this has never translated into results. In fact, it's astonishing how confident he remains in press conferences despite holding the worst record of any manager since World War II.
The Portuguese is headed for the sack and it's hard to back him now given we are months into his project and there is no sign of improvement. INEOS will be reluctant to concede defeat and acknowledge they got it wrong appointing a manager with no Premier League experience and a system he is too stubborn to consider switching up.
On the bright side, there are some interesting candidates for the role if a replacement is required. There have been reports suggesting Gareth Southgate is a possibility, and we are here to scream home that his appointment would cause uproar and rightfully so.
Here are five options, one truly out of the realm of possibility, that could steer United back in the right direction. It may require the owners to once again splash the cash to prise some away from clubs.
Club Legends Coalition - Michael Carrick & Darren Fletcher
The easiest route to go down if Amorim is dismissed is to simply focus on getting the team on board with whomever is in the dugout and bringing in two individuals who know the club from top to bottom could do wonders.
Michael Carrick is out of management after he was sacked by Middlesbrough in the summer. He's not the most glamorous of options given that outcome but he was a hit for large periods of his reign at the Riverside. He also held an interim role with United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked and players were motivated under his watch.
Darren Fletcher could join him as an assistant so that there are two experienced club legends at the helm and one who has seen up close where things have gone wrong in recent years. The Scot is currently working as U18s coach and earning plaudits in the role.
This doesn't need to be a long term appointment but perhaps the pair take up a caretaker partnership to put the wheels in motion for the club to get back on track.
Premier League Proven - Andoni Iraola
Bournemouth have made a red-hot start to the season despite losing some of their best players from the previous campaign. That's thanks to the incredibly gifted management of Andoni Iraola who has transformed the Cherries into one of the Premier League's best outfits to watch and toughest to play against.
The South Coast club deserved to take a point in their opener against Liverpool and Iraola continues to work miracles despite dealing with constant big-name departures. You could argue his side look stronger this term and he is delivering results while implementing an exciting brand of football.
Iraola is everything we thought we were getting with Amorim, a young and exciting manager who has the world at his feet. The Spaniard knows the Premier League which is crucial and his work with Antoine Semenyo bodes well for the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
The Risk That Could Pay Off- Xavi
It seems highly unlikely that INEOS would look outside the Premier League for an Amorim replacement. That's why a move for Xavi would be a major risk but the former Barcelona boss was on their agenda before they turned to the Portuguese in November.
Xavi has spoken of his admiration for United in the past and did do well at Barca, steering them to the La Liga title for the first time since 2019. But his side stumbled after their title triumph and he paid the price although there's no doubt his availability makes him one of the most interesting options.
The Return - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
One of the biggest arguments held between United fans since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 is often over who is the best manager since the Scot bid farewell. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn't guide the club to any trophies, it felt as though he had the best plan for the club in terms of the long term, fronting the signing of Bruno Fernandes and wanting to build a team that works in cohesion.
The most enjoyable football played in the post-Ferguson era came under Solskjaer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is an astute man manager who could put plans in place for success even if that doesn't mean he gets the job full time or with many years on his contract.
Most fans would accept the Norwegian returning because he knew how to galvanise his team. Harry Maguire spoke highly of his time working under the club's legendary former striker.
The Controversial - Jurgen Klopp
Jose Mourinho is the last true world class managerial appointment made by the club since Ferguson's retirement. In fact, you could argue he's the only elite tactician to have arrived since 2013 with question marks over Louis van Gaal at that stage of his career.
If you want to bring the Red Devils back to its glory days you need to make bold moves and recognise the need to work with proven winners. There is little to no chance of Jurgen Klopp taking over at Old Trafford but the German should be on INEOS' wishlist because he is one of the very best in the world.
Arne Slot is proving to be an excellent appointment by Liverpool but Klopp sowed the seeds at Anfield. It's not known whether he's permanently retired from management but would there be a better option then turning to a man who knows the Premier League, how to win it and how to take a fallen giant from its struggles to the mountain top?
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