Manchester United chiefs have reportedly accepted that a change of manager is required at Old Trafford and have identified Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers as their preferred candidate.

What's the word?

That's according to Manchester Evening News (MEN) journalist Samuel Luckhurst, who claims the humiliating defeats to fierce rivals Liverpool and Manchester City proved pivotal in the hierarchy's thinking.

However, the chief United reporter for MEN also states that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could see out the season as they line up his successor, with Erik ten Hag and Luis Enrique also on the shortlist.

He tweeted: "Key figures at United have privately accepted a change of manager is required, but Solskjaer could still see out the season. Rodgers the frontrunner but Ten Hag and Enrique admired".

Man Utd fans will be elated

News that the Glazers are drawing up plans to replace Solskjaer in the Old Trafford dugout will leave a large section of the club's supporters feeling elated, especially as the proposed three-man wishlist contains a trio of astute tacticians.

All of Brendan Rodgers, Erik Ten Hag and Luis Enrique have claimed major silverware throughout their careers, something Solskjaer has been unable to do at United during his two-and-a-half-year reign.

Although the Norwegian has done a vast amount of good work at United, progressing them both on and off the field, he's arguably taken them as far as he can with the club now sitting sixth in the top-flight.

Therefore, a change at the helm appears to be the best option for the 20-time English champions, although that might not be a simple process.

"A senior club source has indicated Solskjaer could remain manager until the end of the season amid a lack of a readily available replacement," wrote Luckhurst.

"Rodgers, 48, is under contract at Leicester until June 2023, and United would have to agree on a fee with Leicester to release Rodgers and pay compensation to Solskjaer for his dismissal."

With a tough run of fixtures coming up - including Villarreal, Arsenal and Chelsea - the United board may be forced into axing Solskjaer sooner rather than later, and a managerial switch could be on the horizon, something that rightfully leaves the Old Trafford faithful beaming from ear to ear.

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