Man Utd join Kieran McKenna hunt and hold other 'loose talks'

Manchester United have expressed an interest in hiring Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, and have also engaged in "loose talks" with Bayern Munich's Thomas Tuchel, according to reports.

McKenna's reputation has soared after leading Ipswich to the Premier League just 12 months after securing a return to the Championship in his first full season in charge. The 38-year-old's side finished as runners-up to Leicester City, who bounced back at the first time of asking, to end their 22-year absence from the top flight.

Chelsea have been linked with McKenna, amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of Mauricio Pochettino, and he's currently favourite to take over at Brighton & Hove Albion after Roberto De Zerbi's exit after two years on the south coast was confirmed on Saturday.

United have strong links to McKenna - he was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching staff alongside Michael Carrick - and the Manchester Evening News report that the Red Devils are considering a reunion if they decide to dispense with current manager Erik ten Hag.

United are said to have made contact with the representatives of McKenna, who has one year remaining on his Ipswich contract.

Ten Hag has overseen an extremely difficult second season in charge - one that saw United record their lowest-ever Premier League finish (8th) and crash out of the Champions League by finishing bottom of a group including Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen.

Victory in Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City - a repeat of last year's final - could save Ten Hag's skin, but defeat will only ramp up the mounting pressure on the Dutchman, who has one year remaining on his deal with the option of an additional 12 months.

Outgoing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has also been extensively linked with the United job, having stuck by his decision to leave Bavaria despite their struggles to find a new boss.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reported on Monday that United have held "loose talks" over hiring Tuchel, as have former club Chelsea, who sacked the German in September 2022 just 16 months after winning the Champions League under his tutelage.

Tuchel is known to be keen on returning to the Premier League and it's alleged that he'll take a break from management if he's not able to secure either role - his Bayern stint is ending prematurely after a disappointing campaign saw the club finish without a trophy.