EDIN TERZIC has rocketed to the top of Manchester United’s wishlist as they target replacements for sacked Erik Ten Hag.
The Dutchman was axed with the club languishing in 14th following a shocking 2-1 defeat at West Ham – with the club also winless in their three Europa League matches.
Edin Terzic if Man Utd’s favoured choice to replace Erik ten Hag[/caption]
Ten Hag was under serious pressure in the summer after guiding United to a worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth.
However, United‘s FA Cup victory – combined with a lack of obvious options to replace him – saw Ten Hag handed an improved contract.
The club reportedly scouted out options, but decided to give Ten Hag time to build on his success.
But after a miserable start to the season, the ex-Ajax chief lasted just nine Premier League games – with the club releasing a blunt 87-word statement.
Thomas Tuchel had been top of the the shortlist to replace Ten Hag.
But the former Dortmund, PSG, Bayern Munich and Chelsea manager is no longer available after the FA swooped to name him England manager.
Gareth Southgate was also a favoured candidate, but he recently suggested he didn’t want to rush back into management and could take a full year off.
So United are now focusing on Edin Terzic – after SunSport exclusively revealed he was a new favourite earlier this month.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
The German is out of work after leaving Borussia Dortmund over the summer despite taking them into the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
United’s board believe he has the pedigree to guide the club back towards success.
And he also has Premier League experience having worked alongside Slaven Bilic in the past.
Terzic has previously been linked with AC Milan and West Ham.
But he’s believed to be holding out for United.
And sources close to Terzic he’d welcome the challenge of helping to rebuild the club.
Man Utd ratings vs West Ham
THE LONDON STADIUM was the venue for the latest defeat in a shocker of a season.
To be fair, it was a hugely controversial VAR call in the dying moments that handed West Ham a 2-1 win.
And the first half from the Red Devils was impressive.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated the players…
Andre Onana – 6
Very loose with the ball at his feet early on but soon settled.
Manchester United conceded from West Ham’s first shot on target, though given Ings’ deflected strike there was little Onana could have done about it.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Delivered one of the most entertaining missed chances you will see all season – doing so well to clip the ball past Lukasz Fabianski before smashing the ball high and wide of an open goal.
Despite that, had little trouble from those in claret and blue attacking down his side until Summerville was introduced. The former Leeds man tested Dalot a number of times with his pace.
Redeemed himself a touch with the header back in ahead of Casemiro’s equaliser.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Hard done by in conceding the penalty for what looked a soft challenge on Hammers striker Ings.
Restricted West Ham well for the most part but United never looked entirely comfortable at the back and a more potent attack could have caused much more trouble.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Struggled at times to deal with the strength and direct nature of Michail Antonio, who tested all across United’s back line well until he was replaced by Ings.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Struggled to keep a handle on both Bowen and former Manchester United man Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the most part and was thrown around by Michail Antonio at times.
Having looked soft at the back he also offered very little going forwards down the left.
Casemiro – 6
Started strongly dominating in the middle but struggled to wrestle that back when West Ham picked up.
Was denied a first half goal by Fabianski’s superb save but got one eventually as he refused to give up and made sure the ball.
Christian Eriksen – 5
Some flashes of creativity in the first half but could not help United keep control in the second after West Ham perked up.
Marcus Rashford – 4
Entirely absent throughout the hour he was on the pitch. Played down the right he was easily managed by Emerson Palmieri who had little of note to do before the winger went off.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Caused huge problems for West Ham and created plenty of chances which his teammates put to waste.
Fernandes made a fine run to meet a Casemiro cross but headed over the bar and had to watch both Garnacho and Dalot pass up huge chances after his good work to set them up – especially the latter, a wonderful looped ball to cut out the entire West Ham defence.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
The young winger should have had two goals inside the opening eight minutes. One chance was rattled against the bar before a poor finish sent the second wide of the far post.
He continued to cause trouble down the left but faded as the game went on and crucially gave the ball away in the build-up to Summerville’s goal.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Drew a couple of saves from Hammers keeper Fabianski but neither looked too difficult.
The Dane was rather comfortably dealt with by West Ham’s central defenders and never looked too much of a threat.
Substitutes
Amad Diallo – 6
Added some life and threat to a forward line which had offered little after the break and lifted a clever ball over to Dalot in the build-up to Casemiro’s goal.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Claimed an assist but did not know a lot about it and struggled to have an impact from there on.
Victor Lindelof – n/a
Unused subs: Altay Bayindir, Manuel Ugarte, Jonny Evans, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher.
