Thomas Tuchel has already told Manchester United what they want to hear amid Erik ten Hag sack reports

Thomas Tuchel has already told Manchester United bosses in no uncertain terms of his desire to one day manage at Old Trafford.

Tuchel is considered the favourite to succeed Erik ten Hag should United decide to sack the beleaguered Dutchman, and held talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the summer but an agreement could not be reached.

The German has taken a seat in the opposition dugout at Old Trafford four times previously, with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and most recently Bayern Munich - and never lost, winning three.

Speaking ahead of his most recent trip, in December 2023, Tuchel spoke of the "very special" atmosphere at Old Trafford and the "privilege" it is to take charge of a team at the stadium.

"No one puts their feet up in Old Trafford. It's one of the biggest stages in world football," Tuchel told TNT Sports. "It's a very special atmosphere, and I'm happy to have the privilege to be on the sideline for a Champions League match at Old Trafford.

"So on these kind of occasions, you need to bring the best out of yourself and out of our team. It's normal. Nothing else matters."

He added: "If you play at Old Trafford, there is a sense of a very special football stage. And there is a sense of a very special occasion. I'm very sure that none of the players would accept to just rest for the sake of resting or due to the situation in the table.

"These are the stages, and these are the matches that you absolutely want to play."

Thomas Tuchel is a free agent after leaving Bayern at the end of last season.