Thomas Tuchel asks Manchester United to sign 25-year-old defender if Red Devils want him to replace Ten Hag as head coach: Reports

Former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has reportedly asked Manchester United to sign Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo if he's to succeed the embattled Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman saw his side slump to a third league defeat in six games this season as Tottenham Hotspur left Old Trafford with a 3-0 win on Sunday (September 29). After Brennan Johnson's third-minute opener for Spurs, United captain Bruno Fernandes saw red in the 42nd minute.

The visitors scored twice without response in the second period as United slumped to 13th in the standings, piling on the pressure on Ten Hag. While his position is apparently not under immediate threat, Tuchel has been touted as an option if results don't improve quickly.

The German was last in charge of Bayern, leaving them at the end of last season, and is currently without a club. As per El Nacional, Tuchel would like to have Araujo in his team, a player he had reportedly extensively scouted while he was at the Allianz Arena.

One of the best players at his position, Araujo would be an immediate upgrade on the existing options at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old - currently out with a hamstring injury - has been a key player for Barca over the years.

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What's next for Manchester United?

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag

Manchester United have had an underwhelming start to the season, winning only three of their nine games across competitions. Two of them have come in the league, where they are eight points off leaders Liverpool (15) after six matches, while the other came in their EFL Cup opener.

The loss to Spurs ended United's four-game unbeaten run across competitions - where they scored 11 times and conceded once The defeat marked the 23rd time they lost a Premier League game by at least three goals in 424 matches, one more than they did in 1035 league outings under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

There's little time to dwell on the Spurs defeat, though, as United travel to FC Porto on Thursday (October 3) for their second match of their UEFA Europa League campaign. The Red Devils drew 1-1 at home to Ten Hag's former side FC Twente on matchday one.

Erik ten Hag's side's next league outing is a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday (October 6). Unai Emery's side are fifth in the standings, with 13 points, only two off Liverpool in a congested top-five.