Manchester United have reportedly received a firm response from Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi after offering him the chance to take Erik ten Hag's job.
If Man United do not achieve a positive result in Sunday's Premier League clash away to Aston Villa, there is a consensus that the trip to the West Midlands could be Ten Hag's final match in charge of the club.
The ex-Ajax boss was given a stay of execution over the summer after leading Man United to a shock FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, but he has failed to oversee the desired turnaround in fortunes since that display of faith.
The Red Devils are languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table and have now failed to win any of their last four matches, throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Porto in Thursday's Europa League clash.
Man United stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently insisted that the decision on whether to stick or twist would not lie with him, although the INEOS chief also did not give Ten Hag any public backing.
Inzaghi 'rejects chance' to manage Man United
With the Dutchman increasingly likely to be given the boot with every negative result, journalist Tancredi Palmeri - via Sport Italia - claims that contact was recently made with Inter boss Inzaghi.
The 48-year-old has transformed the Nerazzurri into the all-conquering force of Italian football, as they won the 2023-24 Serie A title by a staggering 19-point margin over nearest challengers AC Milan.
Prior to their Scudetto triumph this year, Inter finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the 2022-23 Champions League final, and Palmeri claims that Inzaghi was given the chance to take charge of Man United during the international break.
However, the Italian rejected the Red Devils' approach, as he is perfectly happy at San Siro and has no desire to sever ties with the Serie A champions, who have him under contract until 2027.
Man United are still believed to be running the rule over a handful of other candidates for the manager's job, and the club have engaged in 'frantic' talks over whether to give Ten Hag the boot during the October international break.
Who are the other candidates to succeed Erik ten Hag?
Inzaghi is thought to have been one of four leading contenders to succeed Ten Hag at the Theatre of Dreams, although he was more of a left-field pick to begin with, as Man United knew that he was happy in Milan.
Having apparently been given a firm answer by Inzaghi, Man United could now focus their attention on an English candidate, as Ratcliffe is apparently keen to have a high-profile British manager at the helm.
Two such contenders - Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter - would be available immediately, although the latter recently refused to confirm whether he was contacted by Man United over the summer.
Newcastle United's Eddie Howe is also high up on Man United's shortlist, but the Red Devils are concerned that he would not be able to turn down the England job if it became available.
