Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was reportedly unimpressed by the list of potential successors to Erik ten Hag. Ruben Amorim is nearing his one-year anniversary at Old Trafford and is finally experiencing a successful spell as the club's head coach. His appointment from Sporting was overseen by Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. Ashworth, the ex-Newcastle United chief, abruptly departed the club shortly after Amorim's arrival.
Despite facing scrutiny last season and during the current campaign, Amorim has navigated through the challenging times, guiding United to three consecutive victories and within touching distance of the top four. However, The Guardian reports that things could have unfolded differently. A managerial shortlist featuring Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Thomas Frank was allegedly drawn up.
The report also suggests that rumours about Gareth Southgate's chances of taking over at Old Trafford were dismissed by United insiders.
The former England boss was also recently touted as a possible replacement for Amorim, as was Newcastle manager Howe.
It has been claimed that Ratcliffe deemed the shortlist 'uninspiring' as he turned to Ashworth to deliver a definitive roster of potential successors.
Nevertheless, the report indicates that Ten Hag's struggles and the hunt for his replacement prompted a revelation from the United chief that Ashworth was not the individual he wished to steer the club's future.
The ex-Newcastle sporting director reportedly advocated against making a bold appointment and presented a selection of Premier League names before United settled on Amorim.
Following defeat in the Europa League and a disappointing Premier League start, alongside the startling Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town, scrutiny intensified regarding the 40-year-old's position.
Yet there has been an improvement in results and it arrives just weeks after Ratcliffe spoke openly to back Amorim and dismiss claims he might face the managerial axe.
"He has not had the best of seasons," he told The Business podcast. "Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That's where I would be.
"The press, sometimes I don't understand. They want overnight success. They think it's a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it's all going to be roses tomorrow.
"You can't run a club like Manchester United on kneejerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week."