Erik ten Hag comments show Man Utd would be getting their own Pep Guardiola

Manchester United are reportedly edging closer to hiring Erik ten Hag after the Ajax manager impressed during an interview for the role at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman is a leading candidate for the job at the Theatre of Dreams and United officials are now said to favour him over Mauricio Pochettino.

United have lacked an identity since Sir Alex Ferguson stood down in 2013, with the club switching between various styles and principles from David Moyes to Jose Mourinho.

The club now seem intent on getting things right off the pitch so that results improve on it and the club are keen on appointing a new Deputy Director of Football to work alongside John Murtough, while Ralf Rangnick will also take on a consultancy role.

Ten Hag has thrived under a world class structure at Ajax and the Dutchman would expect the same if he’s to succeed at Old Trafford.

But in return, United could expect a manager that can implement an attacking style of play that is akin to what Guardiola has brought about at the Etihad.

The Dutchman worked alongside Guardiola for two years at Bayern Munich, learning from the Spaniard before his first steps into management.

And Ten Hag has given an insight into what he could bring to Old Trafford by admitting Guardiola is a huge influence on his outlook.

‘I learned a lot from Guardiola,’ said Ten Hag in 2019.

‘His philosophy is sensational, what he did in Barcelona, Bayern and now with Manchester City, that attacking and attractive style sees him win a lot.

‘It’s this structure that I’ve tried to implement with Ajax.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.