MANCHESTER UNITED have a whopping NINE alternatives on their managerial wishlist after publicly being snubbed by Gareth Southgate, it’s been claimed.

New Red Devils part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly made the Three Lions boss his No.1 choice to replace current manager Erik ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is in major doubtCredit: EPA

England boss Gareth Southgate is high on United’s wishlist to replace the Dutchman but has publicly snubbed the jobCredit: GETTY

Red Devils part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a further NINE names on his wishlistCredit: PA

But Southgate – whose current contract with England expires in December – has publicly distanced himself from the job.

Ratcliffe, however, hasn’t hedged all his bets on installing the former Middlesborough gaffer as the new man in the Old Trafford dugout next season.

That’s according to ESPN, who claim the new United brass have a further NINE names on their managerial candidates’ list.

That list includes former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who SunSport exclusively revealed last year is in contention to succeed Ten Hag.

Potter’s successor as Brighton Roberto De Zerbi is also said to be on the list, as well as Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

Thomas Tuchel – who is set to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season – is rumoured to be on the shortlist, as is Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Out-of-work duo Julen Lopetegui and Zinedine Zidane, who both managed Real Madrid, are also on the list, which also includes Sporting Lisbon chief Ruben Amorim.

ESPN also claim Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou could be targeted if United continue their “aggressive recruitment policy”.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is on United’s shortlist of potential new managersCredit: Reuters

Ratcliffe has already poached Omar Berrada from Manchester City and appointed him the club’s new CEO.

And he’s made a bold approach to Newcastle about the availability of Dan Ashworth, whom he wants to appoint as the club’s sporting director.

It’s unclear whether under-pressure England boss Southgate is keen to return to club management should he leave The Three Lions this winter.

But he’s refusing to entertain the prospect of managing United at this moment in time, saying: “I think there are two things from my point of view.

“One is that I’m the England manager, I’ve got one job basically — to try and deliver a European Championship.

“Clearly before that, there are two important games this week.

“Second thing is, Manchester United have a manager and I think it is always completely disrespectful when there is a manager in place.

“I’m president of the LMA [League Managers’ Association] so I don’t have any time for that sort of thing really.”

Manchester United will be back in action a week on Saturday, travelling to West London to take on Brentford.