Just a few days after winning his second trophy, and the club’s 13th FA Cup title, Erik ten Hag may well be getting replaced by the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager.

According to the latest reports, Manchester United and De Zerbi have had “real contact”, though a final decision is unlikely until internal reviews have been carried out to assess Ten Hag’s position.

#DeZerbi-#ManchesterUnited: no final decision, but real and confirmed contacts. It’s a profile very popular in a list of two or three names. But first the final decision on #TenHag

— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) May 28, 2024

Despite ending the season with silverware and in turn Europa League qualification, Ten Hag led United to their lowest Premier League finish of eighth and coupled with lacklustre performances and fallouts with players, most notably Jadon Sancho, his position seems far from secure.

Rumours of De Zerbi to United are no new story amidst speculation for much of the season that his time at Brighton would be limited. Speculation only heightened following his departure from the Seagulls at the end of the season.

🚨 Roberto De Zerbi's dream is to manage Manchester United.

(Source: @AlfredoPedulla) pic.twitter.com/ydGpDOkCFQ

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 22, 2024

The Italian led Brighton to their highest ever finish of seventh in his first season in the Premier League, earning the club their first European campaign in the process. Brighton struggled the following season, hampered with injuries to key players like Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro. De Zerbi was vocal, in particular, after their Europa League defeat to AS Roma, that he felt unsupported by the club’s board when it came to transfers, a factor believed to be key in his decision to depart the club.

His fluent and attack-minded approach to football has seen a lot of success in his career so far, even drawing high praise from Pep Guardiola, and with the resources United have to offer, a move for De Zerbi could be a match made in heaven.