Graham Potter tipped to become Man Utd manager by former player after he is lined up by Sir Jim Ratcliffe

MANCHESTER UNITED should hire Graham Potter if they sack Erik ten Hag, says former player Tom Cleverley.

SunSport understands incoming investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe has met with former Chelsea chief Potter and views him as a potential boss.

Ten Hag is under pressure after United crashed out of Europe this month, with the Red Devils also six points off the top four.

Potter, 48, has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April but Cleverley thinks he would be a good fit at Old Trafford.

He told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "When it comes to Graham Potter, you don't know how someone's feeling; he might have needed a mental break. He's been in coaching for many, many years, but personally I think he's a top, top manager.

"You see the rumours with United at the moment, and I personally believe that's the kind of level of club he belongs at.

"You're seeing now how much Chelsea have struggled since he left, and the problem he was having there was that the team just wasn't putting the ball in the back of the net. They were dominating possession, they were creating bags and bags of chances… they just couldn't score.

"The decision, by Chelsea, to sack him looks premature now. I would certainly say they're in a worse position than they were with Potter."

Potter won 12 of his 31 games in charge of the Blues but never enamoured himself with the Stamford Bridge faithful.

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

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The Ineos chief is set to buy 25 per cent of United next week and will immediately take over football operations.

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

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