Manchester United have privately accepted replacing Erik ten Hag at the end of the season would come with a certain degree of risk, chiefly because of the lack of an outstanding candidate.
The Dutchman avoided humiliation as his side beat Coventry 4-2 on penalties in the FA Cup semi-finals, after the Championship side fought back from 3-0 down to force extra time.
But while ten Hag has taken his side to a third final in two seasons, his future hangs by a thread after Sunday's near-fatal collapse against Mark Robins' men.