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Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was reportedly left unimpressed by the list of candidates for his previous managerial decision. Ruben Amorim is nearing the one-year mark of his tenure at Old Trafford and, almost exactly 12 months on, he's finally hitting his stride as the club's head coach.

The appointment from Sporting CP was made with Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox in the hierarchy but Ashworth, the former Newcastle United chief,left the club abruptly shortly after Amorim's arrival. Despite facing pressure at points last season and during the current campaign, the Portuguese tactician has weathered the storm to guide United to three consecutive wins and on the brink of the top four.

However, it could have been a different story according to The Guardian, a Premier League shortlist was drawn up which featured Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Thomas Frank. The report adds that suggestions over Gareth Southgate's prospects to become the man in the Old Trafford hotseat were played down by United sources.

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The former England manager was also linked as a potential replacement for Amorim recently. As was Newcastle boss Howe.

Reports suggest that Ratcliffe deemed the shortlist "uninspiring" as he turned to Ashworth for a definitive roster of potential successors. Yet the report indicates that Erik Ten Hag's struggles and the hunt for his replacement sparked a revelation from United's chief that Ashworth wasn't the figure he envisioned spearheading the club's future.

The ex-Newcastle sporting director allegedly advised against making a bold appointment and presented a catalogue of Premier League contenders before United plumped for Amorim. Following the Europa League final defeat last season and a dismal Premier League star, plus the stunning Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town, speculation intensified around the 40-year-old's prospects.

Nevertheless there has been a revival in fortunes and it arrives just weeks after Ratcliffe spoke openly to back Amorim and dismiss suggestions he might face the managerial axe. "He has not had the best of seasons," he told The Business podcast.

"Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That's where I would be. The press, sometimes I don't understand. They want overnight success.

"They think it's a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it's all going to be roses tomorrow.

"You can't run a club like Manchester United on kneejerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week."

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