Ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter lined up to replace Erik ten Hag as Man Utd manager after meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe

GRAHAM POTTER is being lined up to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

SunSport understands Man Utd’s new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe has met with former Chelsea chief Potter and favours him as the new boss at Old Trafford if he fires Ten Hag.

The threat to the Dutchman’s position has increased since their exit from the Champions League earlier this month.

United crashed out of Europe with their lowest-ever group-stage points tally of FOUR.

And they did not even drop into the Europa League after finishing BOTTOM of Group A.

Ten Hag’s flops were booed off as their season hit a new low.

Things haven’t got much better since, a 0-0 draw against Liverpool followed by a miserable 2-0 loss at West Ham.

Potter, 48, has not managed since being sacked by Chelsea in April after less than a season in charge.

But Ratcliffe remains a huge fan of the former Swansea and Brighton boss and wanted him at French side Nice.

The Ineos chief has now completed his 25 per cent takeover at United and will immediately take over football operations.

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Potter turned down the chance to succeed Alex Neil as manager of Championship side Stoke earlier this season.

It is understood he is only prepared to return to the dugout if a major job came up.

Ten Hag is United’s fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired following his 2012-13 Prem title triumph.

But the 53-year-old Dutchman is heading the way of his predecessors, despite a good first season in charge.

The former Ajax boss finished third in the Premier League last season, reached both domestic cup finals and won the Carabao Cup — United’s first silverware in six years.

This term they have gone backwards, losing eight of their 18 league games so far including yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham that sank them into eighth place.

Off the pitch, United will also take a financial hit of more than £20million following their Champions League exit.

It is believed they budget to reach the quarter-finals, so will lose out on matchday income and TV money as well as participation and performance fees.