Des Buckingham was controversially sacked as U’s boss on Sunday afternoon, in the aftermath of the side’s 3-1 defeat at home against Sheffield Wednesday.

Buckingham was appointed last November and led United to promotion via the League One play-offs last season, before then overseeing an encouraging start to the current campaign, with three wins from the opening five matches.

The loss against the Owls though extended a tricky run of form to just one win in 15 games, leaving the team 20th in the Championship table, a point above the relegation zone.

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The Oxford Mail understands that the U’s are still optimistic of having a new head coach in place for the trip to Leeds United on Saturday, with new details emerging on the type of boss the club wants to appoint.

It’s understood that United are looking for proven Championship experience and quality, and a head coach who can build and develop the squad in the longer term.

That criteria would seemingly rule out former Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who is among the current bookmakers’ favourites, and Crystal Palace first team coach Paddy McCarthy, currently an outsider with the bookies.