By Tom Gott
Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United is looking more and more uncertain with each passing day, and Thomas Tuchel is reported to be a major candidate to replace him.
The Red Devils are also looking at England boss Gareth Southgate, but Football Manager 2024 has already warned United against such a move.
How will Tuchel get on in the simulation? Here's FM24's prediction of Tuchel's reign at United.
Tuchel arrives
Here we go then. July 1, 2024. Ten Hag is given his marching orders and in comes Tuchel, who fends off competition from Villarreal boss Marcelino to get the job.
Antony scores the first and last goals of a pretty perfect pre-season which sets United up for a winning start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Splashing the cash
Tuchel agrees with those in charge and decides to move for a new striker, parting with a cool £55m to lure Santiago Gimenez over from Feyenoord.
The Mexican international headlines a busy summer which also sees Jose Gaya, Roony Bardghji and Guido Rodriguez sign on, while Benoit Badiashile and Renato Sanches are lured over to Old Trafford on loan deals.
Tyrell Malacia, Scott McTominay and Victor Lindelof all head for pastures new.
Sancho starts fresh
Jadon Sancho gets his fresh start under Tuchel and scores the first goal of the Premier League season, snatching a 1-0 win over Southampton.
Fans go wild. Are we getting the Dortmund version of Sancho? Is it Ballon d'Or time?
Well, sorry to break it to you, but Sancho scores just three more goals across the entire season, spending most of the year coming off the bench.
Revenge over Chelsea
Tuchel's first meeting with former employers Chelsea comes in November 2024 at his old stomping ground of Stamford Bridge.
Three goals inside the first 22 minutes, including one from old foe Romelu Lukaku, put Tuchel's side 2-1 down, but Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen strike to ensure United have the last laugh.
The Red Devils enjoy a strong end to 2024, seeing off both Tottenham and Arsenal but falling to defeat at te hands of Liverpool.
Late season slump
Despite their hot start, United can't keep it up and once again end the season outside the top four. Tuchel can only finish sixth, setting the Red Devils up for their second year of Conference League football - or so it would seem.
Individually, Andre Onana keeps 15 clean sheets to beat Alisson to the Golden Glove, with Tuchel's side conceding just 37 goals in 38 games.
Conference League glory
After Ten Hag led United to a spot in the 2024/25 Europa Conference League, Tuchel does the bare minimum and steers the team to glory.
United make light work of Hearts as goals from Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount ensure they will be playing in the Europa League for the 2025/26 campaign.
Antony's gets the boot
The vibes start to go south pretty quickly in 2025/26. Renato Sanches sees his loan made permanent for £28m after starting just three Premier League games in the previous year, and that's the only senior signing of the summer.
The list of departures is far more interesting, however.
Headlining the outgoings is Antony, who joins Bournemouth for just £8m, handing United a £75m loss in the process.
Antony's revenge
Some bad results see the pressure ramped up on Tuchel almost immediately, but things go from bad to worse in October 2025 when Antony makes his first return to Old Trafford.
Having scored just once in Tuchel's first season, the Brazilian bags twice in a famous 4-1 win for the Cherries. There's no coming back from that.
Poor form continues
The Bournemouth game sparks a real rollercoaster for United, who win just two of their next six games and fall to some tough results around the festive period.
2026 begins with crushing defeats to both Liverpool and Chelsea, with the pressure really starting to ramp up on Tuchel now.
Tuchel's time is over
On March 2, 2026, Tuchel's side fall to a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, and that's that. He's gone, just over 18 months after first arriving.
Tuchel leaves after 99 games and a win percentage of 58% - better than any manager in the post-Fergie era - but that's not enough to save him.
Next up to the Old Trafford dugout? Stefano Pioli.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Football Manager 2024 predicts wild Thomas Tuchel spell at Man Utd.
