Following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, Manchester United have a maximum of eight games left this season.

For Erik ten Hag, they could well amount to his final eight games as United manager. The weekend's stalemate at the Vitality Stadium was another mark against his chances of keeping his job beyond the end of this season.

As a result of Aston Villa's 2-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday, United are now 13 points shy of the top four with just 18 points to play for. The Champions League theme tune will almost certainly not be played by the Old Trafford compere next season.

With United's Premier League campaign now in danger of petering out, there is also a danger the Europa League theme tune will not be played, either. The Reds have won just one of their last seven Premier League games and are winless in four.

Though Ten Hag still has a chance of winning a second trophy in as many seasons at Old Trafford, it is becoming increasingly hard to argue against Sir Jim Ratcliffe not making a change in the dugout. Ratcliffe, who secured minority ownership in February, has wasted no time in making sweeping changes in the boardroom, meaning it would be no surprise to see him make a change in the dugout.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News at the end of February, Ineos have already analysed potential replacements for Ten Hag. Based on what has happened since the March international break, you cannot blame them.

Since the pause, United have played four, lost one and drawn three. If they don't get their first post-international break win on the board against Coventry City at Wembley, it will be nigh-on impossible for even the most staunch Ten Hag supporter to continue backing him.

While results, of course, are the bread and butter for any manager, it is United's performances throughout the season that have asked the most questions of Ten Hag. It is no secret that an unprecedented injury crisis has played its part in the club's regression, but it was clear from the very start of the season that something was not right.

Everyone is aware of the bombardment United's goal is constantly under, with Bournemouth's tally of 20 shots meaning they have now faced 107 in their last four matches. Ten Hag has played that concern down while Diogo Dalot contradicted him when asked about the problem.

Based on United's uninspiring style of play and their worsening performance levels, it is beginning to feel inevitable that Ratcliffe will decide to make a change. But if Ratcliffe does decide to pull the trigger, who does he turn to? It is a question nobody has an immediate answer to. There is not an obvious, standout candidate.

Gareth Southgate has been heavily linked with the post but is not worthy of commanding such a high-profile position, despite his good work with England. Roberto De Zerbi is yet to prove he is qualified enough for the role.

In the past, United, when deciding or needing to make a change, have had their ducks in a row, instantly being able to appoint a big name, such as Jose Mourinho or Louis van Gaal. Ten Hag was also the overriding favourite to succeed Ralf Rangnick in 2022, with it always felt he was far more likely to land the job than Mauricio Pochettino, who was also in the frame for quite some time.

Back in 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson recommended that David Moyes should replace him following his retirement. It marked another instance where the Glazers had a relatively simple decision to make.

For Ratcliffe, who has secured control of football operations, selecting a potential replacement for Ten Hag will not be so simple. Despite Ineos' fondness of Southgate, they should sense that appointing him would not wash with the fans.

Looking at the managerial landscape as it is now, Thomas Tuchel, who will leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season, may be the only coach available who commands the tag of being an 'elite-level coach', and even his stock has fallen somewhat this season.

Ratcliffe may be left with no choice but to make a change in the coming weeks, but selecting a replacement will be no straightforward task. A big decision, one way or another, needs to be made.