It is not expected that the Dutchman will be sacked imminently but more poor results may spell an end to his reign after just over a year in charge.

And should the decision-makers choose to pull the trigger, Sporting Lisbon’s Amorim and the out-of-work Zidane could be looked at for the role, according to The Times.

Manchester United are already looking at potential replacements for Erik ten Hag, say reports

United are said to be lining up Zinedine Zidane (left) and Ruben Amorim (right) as potential replacements for the Dutchman

United’s poor start to the season continued on Wednesday as they lost 3-0 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup

Things seem to be getting worse and worse for United, who are eighth in the Premier League table and eight points off the top four after five wins and five losses from their first 10 games.

They lost 3-0 to Newcastle as they exited the Carabao Cup, and are third in their Champions League table with two losses and a narrow win to their names so far.

But it is believed that players are starting to turn on the former Ajax boss, with it believed he has favourites in the squad with frustration among some stars starting to grow.

There are also said to be concerns over the club’s direction under Ten Hag, with it traditionally hard to win the dressing room’s support back once it is lost.

There will be a long list of candidates for the job if Ten Hag is let go soon, with both Amorim and Zidane believed to be high up in the estimations of the club.

Amorim has been with Sporting since 2020 and was linked with the Tottenham manager’s job before Ange Postecoglou was appointed in the summer.

Zidane won three Champions League titles in a row during his first spell in charge of Real Madrid

Amorim, meanwhile, is just 38 and won Sporting’s first league title for 19 years in 2020/21

He won Sporting’s first title in 19 years in the 2020/21 season and is regarded as one of the best young coaches in the world at the age of 38, having also spent time at Casa Pia and Braga since retiring as a player.

Zidane, meanwhile, hasn’t coached since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021 having returned in 2019 after an incredibly successful first spell in charge of his former side.

During his time with Real across two spells, the first being from 2016 to 2018, he won two LaLiga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, three Champions League titles – in a row – two UEFA Super Cups and two Club World Cups.

He would also carry the legacy of being a hugely respected name in the industry for what seems a fractured and vocal dressing room to follow.