Man United told they've missed out on 'perfect' manager to challenge Man City in Diego Simeone

Paul Merson believes Manchester United have missed a trick by not appointing Diego Simeone as the club’s new manager.

United look to be closing in on Erik ten Hag as their new permanent boss, with the Reds aiming to have their a deal done and dusted before the end of the season. Ten Hag is thought to have verbally agreed to making the move to Old Trafford, having been interviewed for the role last month.

The Ajax boss emerged as United’s preferred candidate over recent weeks, having been one of the frontrunners since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking back in November. Simeone has previously been suggested as a possible candidate by one or two pundits, most notably Roy Keane, but has not featured in the club’s shortlist at any point.

ALSO READ: Ralf Rangnick admits Manchester United squad is not easy to manage

Merson though believes the Atletico Madrid boss would have been an ideal choice, with his no-nonsense approach making him a perfect fit. Simeone’s pragmatic tactics were on show again this week during a chaotic Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City, which was marred by a number of bust-ups on the pitch and in the tunnel.

"Atletico Madrid's antics against Manchester City are the reason why Diego Simeone keeps getting overlooked for the big jobs in football,” Merson said in his Daily Star column.

"But Manchester United should have had him on their shortlist because he would have sorted out that squad straight away. It's a clear-out job there. Someone has got to come in who's strong-minded. Someone who says: 'You're not working hard enough. You're out.'

"That's Simeone all over. He would have been perfect. And imagine what a fight United would put up in Manchester derbies under him! The longer the game