Manchester United ponder move for Kieran McKenna if Ten Hag departs

Initial contact has been made with Ipswich manager.

RED RETURN? Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna during an open-top bus parade in Ipswich to celebrate promotion to the Premier League. Pic: Gareth Fuller, PA Wire.

Kieran McKenna has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace Erik ten Hag if the Dutchman leaves Manchester United at the end of the season, with the Ipswich manager also attracting strong interest from other Premier League clubs after achieving successive promotions at Portman Road.

McKenna, who was on the Old Trafford coaching staff for six years before taking charge of Ipswich in December 2021, is understood to be highly regarded by the United ­hierarchy after helping the Suffolk club to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2002.