Man Utd have 'doubts' after Erik ten Hag echoes Ralf Rangnick and Jose Mourinho concern

Manchester United have doubts over appointing Erik ten Hag as their new permanent manager after learning that the Ajax boss harbours the same concern as Ralf Rangnick.

Ten Hag has been formally interviewed by Old Trafford chiefs and was the first on their shortlist of four candidates to be quizzed about taking the vacant Red Devils job. The 52-year-old was later followed by rival Mauricio Pochettino, who the players would prefer to be appointed. Within his interview, Ten Hag argued that United are lacking when it comes to fitness, particularly the level required to regularly compete in the latter stages of the Champions League.

As reported by the Independent, the Dutchman put together a 'comprehensive dossier' of the Red Devils' squad and even named a number of transfer targets, including some of the players who have helped Ajax reach the Champions League semi-finals during his five-year tenure. Ten Hag's concern mirrors what interim manager Rangnick was forced to admit following the Red Devils' drab 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Saturday, and something Jose Mourinho pointed out almost four years ago.

Rangnick, speaking post-match, laid bare that United did not possess the "physicality" to compete with Leicester, who have made it to the last eight of the Europa Conference League this season, despite a raft of injuries. "What was obvious in some parts of the game is that we were second best with regards to physicality," the acclaimed German coach explained.

"It was about one-on-one duels. Whenever there was body contact, we were too often second-best and that is something we have to get better at for the rest of this season, but even more so for next season. I just felt we could have been more dynamic, more