Manchester United dressing room split over possible Erik ten Hag appointment

The Manchester United dressing room is split over the possible appointment of Erik ten Hag as the club's next manager.

The Manchester Evening News revealed Ten Hag is United's preferred candidate last month - prior to his interview with the club - and United would only have to pay Ajax £1.7million to release Ten Hag from his contract.

A number of United players are excited by the prospect of being coached by Ten Hag and feel he would improve them, but sources close to other players say Ten Hag is viewed as an 'underwhelming' choice by some of them.

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Mauricio Pochettino was the favoured pick among the majority of players two months ago but the club hierarchy is edging towards Ten Hag to become United's second Dutch manager after Louis van Gaal. Ajax, who enjoy a warm relationship with United, are prepared to let Ten Hag leave a year before his contract is due to expire.

Disenchantment is still rife in the United squad, with the mood worsened by Saturday's fortuitous 1-1 draw with Leicester City. United dropped to seventh in the Premier League table after West Ham beat Everton on Sunday.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick's decision not to start Marcus Rashford, despite the absence of fellow forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, is believed to have baffled some teammates.

Ten Hag presided over a 3-1 Ajax win at Groningen on Saturday that extended their lead at the top of the Eredivisie by four points, as PSV Eindhoven drew 3-3 at Twente. Ajax face PSV in the KNVB Cup final as they attempt to secure a domestic double.

Last week, Ten Hag described United as a 'great club with great fans' in an interview