Erik ten Hag to Manchester United latest as Old Trafford club 'very close' to huge appointment

Manchester United are reportedly ‘very close’ to hiring Erik ten Hag as their new manager according to media reports in Europe.

The Ajax boss has been the favourite with the bookmakers to take the Old Trafford hot-seat for a number of months, despite the club also having other managers on their radar, and the move is edging closer as the Red Devils look to become a force in the game once again.

During the recent international break, United interviewed a number of high-profile managerial candidates but Sky Sport’s Angelo Mangiante has said Ten Hag is “very close” to being named as the next United boss - though he does want a final answer from the club as soon as possible.

The 52-year-old appears to be a popular call with the supporters and as the Dutchman is out of contract at Ajax next season, he is likely to command a significantly lower compensation fee than a move for Mauricio Pochettino would require.

Pochettino has been admired by the United hierarchy for a considerable amount of time but the mood music around the club suggests that that ship may have sailed.

The Argentine was in the frame for the top job in 2016 before Jose Mourinho came to the club, and was widely believed to be favourite to assume the role in December 2018 – only for the club to hire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on an interim (and ultimately, permanent) basis.

Former captain Rio Ferdinand has confessed to be a fan of ten Hag but would equally be happy if Pochettino were to be the choice of the club.

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