Manchester United board believe they have found their next manager after analysing candidates

Manchester United’s board are increasingly convinced that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is the manager they need to revive the club’s fortunes after carrying out analysis on all the candidates.

The Red Devils have been stepping up their search for a new permanent successor to interim boss Ralf Rangnick and had been compiling detailed dossiers on a host of managers with a view to making an appointment as soon as the season is over.

Ten Hag has long been one of the frontrunners, though he faced significant competition from Mauricio Pochettino while Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel also emerged as a potential option recently.

But, according to The Sun, United’s board believe it is Ten Hag who represents the best option to get the club back to the summit of both English and European football.

The club’s board have been massively impressed with the 52-year-old’s style of play while they also believe he can help attract players and keep some of those whose future is up in the air.

United compiled extensive background checks on all their targets and it was Ten Hag who came out on top, ahead even of Pochettino despite the two having appeared to be neck-and-neck.

Current interim boss Rangnick – who will take up a consultancy role at the end of the season – has played a part in the process which has seen Ten Hag identified as his most likely successor.

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United will now need to negotiate a deal with Ajax to extract Ten Hag from his contract, though that is not expected to be a problem.

The Dutchman’s contract only