Ajax expecting Erik ten Hag to join Manchester United

Ajax expect Erik ten Hag to become Manchester United's next manager.

The Manchester Evening News revealed three weeks ago Ten Hag was United's preferred candidate to take over in the summer and the MEN reported in January United were aiming to settle on their next manager before the end of the season.

Ten Hag, 52, was interviewed by United two weeks ago and is set to become the club's second Dutch manager, having seen off competition from Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino. United insist they have not secured a 'done deal' with any manager.

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Ajax and United enjoy a warm relationship and the Dutch champions had been braced for an approach for Ten Hag before United requested permission to speak to the former Utrecht coach.

Ten Hag led Ajax to their first Eredivisie title in five years in 2019, the same year the club completed a domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1997. Ajax retained the title last season and are aiming to secure another double this season.

Although United considered Spain coach Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui of Sevilla, the process was effectively between Ten Hag and Pochettino, who has wanted to manage United for the best part of the last four years.

United explored the possibility of hiring Pochettino after they sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, emboldened by the Argentinian's willingness to switch clubs mid-season. However, sources said PSG played hardball and United were unprepared to pay a compensation package of around £15million.

Pochettino was approached by United at the start of last season but they failed to make a formal offer and