Man United add ‘surprise candidate’ to replace Erik ten Hag – Contacts made with representatives

Manchester United have reportedly added a ‘surprise candidate’ to their list of options to replace Erik ten Hag this summer.

According to Foot Mercato, the Red Devils are considering Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna.

The outlet claims that the coach ‘comes up repeatedly’ at Manchester United, and the first concrete talks have taken place with his representatives.

McKenna himself is said to be ‘excited’ with the idea of taking charge of the club, and would be immediately available for the summer.

Foot Mercato had previously revealed Manchester United’s interest in Gareth Southgate. Now they claim that despite being ‘popular’ at Old Trafford, with the club ‘convinced’ he should be signed, there’s concern about when will he be free to take the job, as he’ll be busy with England in the Euros.

Obviously, that wasn’t exactly a secret and it’s now hard to take these claims seriously.

At the time, Foot Mercato said: ‘Manchester United have chosen Gareth Southgate’

To believe they made that decision and then suddenly remembered about the Euros takes quite some leap of faith.

McKenna worked at Manchester United between 2016 and 2021, first as a scout, then as the U-18 manager and then as an assistant manager. He took charge of Ipswich Town in December 2021, and has just achieved promotion to the Premier League by finishing in 2nd with 96 points in the Championship this season.