Man Utd handed fresh stumbling block as Erik ten Hag tries to assemble backroom team

Manchester United looked set to appoint Erik ten Hag as their new manager last month, but another setback has delayed the potential appointment once more.

With Ralf Rangnick's interim deal set to expire on June 1, United have been looking to make a new long-term summer appointment after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked last year. And Ten Hag is the favourite to land the role after already being interviewed by the Red Devils.

The Dutchman has banned English media from attending Ajax press conferences as he looks to see out the current season with the champions-elect. But amid reports that Ten Hag is looking to assemble his new backroom team ahead of a potential switch to United, a fresh stumbling block has occurred.

Reports have suggested that Ten Hag is looking to bring former United star Robin van Persie back to Old Trafford as part of a new look coaching staff. But according to The Times, this may be more complicated than initially expected due to implications caused by Brexit.

Ten Hag is reportedly keen on poaching Van Persie from Feyenoord and bringing him to Manchester, but United fear that due to issues with a work permit, the Dutchman may be denied entry. The former United striker is the current Feyenoord assistant manager, but lacks elite coaching experience.

Van Persie has only recently called time on his playing career to focus on coaching, and has been at Feyenoord since hanging up his boots. But due to his inexperience working in an elite coaching role, a UK work permit is said to be more difficult to obtain post-Brexit.

The news comes shortly after it was revealed that RB Leipzig were looking to hijack United's deal by offering the Dutchman a bank-busting contract. The Bundesliga club believe he can