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The future of Manchester United manager David Moyes has never been so precarious .
Following the humiliating defeat at home to bitter rivals Liverpool, serious questions are being asked about whether he is the right man to take the club forward.
Tonight he has the opportunity to salvage something from a desperately poor season in which United languish in mid-table and found themselves surprisingly knocked out of the domestic competitions.
Progress in the Champions League could at least hint at a brighter future on the near horizon.
However, to reach the quarter-finals, United must overturn a 2-0 first-leg defeat to Olympiakos. In the Champions League era, only five teams have managed such a feat. If United do not become the sixth , scrutiny over Moyes' future will only increase.
But should United decide to part ways with the former Everton boss, who might they turn to?
Here, we take a look at the potential candidates...
Show all 11 1 /11The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Jurgen Klopp Currently the manager of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp coached his team to the Champions League final in 2013. He also delivered back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12, despite Dortmund being in the financial shadow of Bayern Munich. All of that was achieved while playing a distinctive attractive style of football. After six years at the club, it could be time for the 46-year-old German to move on, however he has already said he is happy to stay.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Fabio Capello The former England manager has coached the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma. He now resides over the Russian national team who topped their group in qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to ensure they are at the biggest tournament of them all for the first time since 2002.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Louis van Gaal Dutchman Van Gaal will be leading his national side at this year's World Cup in Brazil. He has taken charge of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past and won the Champions League in 1995 with Ajax. In total, he has won over 60 per cent of his 780 games in management and he's made it very clear he covets a position in the Premier League. Heavily linked with Tottenham prior to David Moyes' sacking.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Sir Alex Ferguson Considering he's at every game anyway, a switch from the stands back to the dug-out doesn't seem inconceivable for Sir Alex Ferguson. It'd certainly be a popular choice among fans having achieved so much success in his long time in charge. The winner of 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles, if there's anyone who can succeed Ferguson, it's Ferguson.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Jose Mourinho Since returning for a second spell at Chelsea last summer, the Special One has been saying he wants to see out his career at Stamford Bridge. Yet prior to returning to west London, it was an open secret he coveted the Old Trafford hot seat. If United want to turn their fortunes around, no other manager can provide the kind of guarantees of success that Mourinho can.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Frank De Boer Although his managerial experience is relatively small in comparison to other potentials, he has already shown he can win domestically. Since taking over at Ajax in 2010, in his first job as manager, De Boer has won the Eredivisie in three consecutive attempts, with his team currently well clear at the top of the league this season. Has been regularly linked with the biggest vacancies in Europe.
The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Antonio Conte Winner of the Serie A manager of the year in 2011-12 and 2012-13 after leading Juventus to the title in those seasons, as well as a Champions League winners medal to his name as a player, Conte has pedigree. Since taking charge in Turin three years ago, the Italian has returned Juventus to the dominant force in Italy, with the club destined to win their third title in a row this term. That kind of dominance is exactly what United crave.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Diego Simeone Simeone has been enjoying much success since taking over at Atletico Madrid. His excellent win rate has seen the club win the Europa League and Super Cup, and against all odds challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for La Liga title this season. He'd have to hope his history with David Beckham didn't count against him if Manchester United came calling.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Michael Laudrup Despite a rather sudden and messy divorce from Swansea City earlier this year, Laudrup did show he was capable of managing at the highest level. He won the League Cup with the Welsh club, the first major trophy in the club's history, and he did it with a brand of football that won many plaudits. A legend as a player, the Dane has the gravitas for such a huge position as Manchester United manager.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Harry Redknapp Currently manager of QPR, Redknapp has often been a fan favourite across English football, winning manager of the year in 2009/10 as well as the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008. At one stage he looked a certainty to be the next England manager, only to lose out to Roy Hodgson.
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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat Ex-United players If Manchester United were to choose from one of their own, they would have plenty of ex-players to pick from. Ryan Giggs is the most obvious choice after being installed on a temporary basis after Moyes' departure. Others in management who served as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson include Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, both Neville brothers and Steve Bruce. Mark Hughes played for United along with Gordon Strachan and Laurent Blanc. While none of them have particularly overachieved in any of their positions, a former player tends to be popular with fans, and can be rewarded with success.
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