Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has sensationally claimed that he could be in line to replace Ruben Amorim if he is sacked by Manchester United, according to reports.
Amorim has been under pressure after a poor start to the season for the Red Devils, and admitted before their recent win over Sunderland that he was running out of time to save his job if results didn’t improve.
His comments followed a painful defeat at Brentford, although assurances from Ineos sources suggested that Ratcliffe still backed Amorim and was prepared to let him stay in charge for the rest of the season.
This was later backed up by the British billionaire during the international break, where he insisted in an interview that he has no intention of sacking the 40-year-old - and even indicated that he might be given three years to prove himself.
However, according to The Sun, Mancini, who has been without a managerial job since leaving Saudi Arabia just under a year ago, could be in the running if United do dispense with Amorim.
The report suggests the Italian has told friends that in such a situation, he believes he would emerge as an option for the role.
The 60-year-old, who has also coached the likes of Inter Milan, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Italy and Galatasaray, is said to have links to Ratcliffe.
Like the 72-year-old, Mancini also has a base in the south of France while he is believed to have crossed paths with him at various social functions.
Mancini has impressive pedigree and has won numerous trophies across his time in the dugout.
His most notable achievements include leading Italy to Euro 2020 glory and guiding Man City to the Premier League title for the first time in their history in 2012.
Nevertheless, it feels unlikely that he would turn up at Old Trafford given his recent pedigree and history with their arch-rivals.
Several other coaches, including Oliver Glasner and Gareth Southgate, have also been linked with replacing Amorim.
Mancini remains a popular figure among City fans, and he won 113 of his 191 games in charge over three-and-a-half years.
Meanwhile, speaking last week when backing Amorim, Ratcliffe had said: 'It’s (sacking) not going to happen.
‘He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That's where I would be.
‘You can't run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions. You know, you flick a switch and it's all going to be roses tomorrow.’
Despite beating Sunderland, Amorim has lost three of his seven Premier League games this season and crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Grimsby.