Van Gaal warns Man United managerial target Ten Hag against joining 'commercial club'

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has urged Ajax's Erik ten Hag to think twice about taking up the manager's role at Manchester United, asking him to choose a football club over a "commercial" one.

Van Gaal won the FA Cup during his spell in charge at Old Trafford between 2014 and 2016. He suggested the current Ajax coach should consider his options carefully after becoming one of the leading candidates to replace the interim Ralf Rangnick in the summer.

United want to appoint his permanent successor before the summer and aim to speak to a number of candidates, with Ten Hag understood to have met with the Premier League club last week.

"Erik ten Hag is a great coach and that is always good for Manchester United," Van Gaal, who was replaced by Jose Mourinho at United, said ahead of Netherlands' friendly at home to Germany on Tuesday.

"But Manchester United are a commercial club, so it's a difficult choice for a coach ... he would be better going to a football club. I'm not going to advise him, he'll call me himself. But he must choose a football club and not a commercial club."

Ten Hag, 52, was appointed by Ajax during the 2017-18 campaign and led them to the Dutch league title in 2019 and 2021, as well as the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Former Tottenham and current Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino, Spain coach Luis Enrique and Sevilla's Julen Lopetegui have also been linked with the vacant post.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after their Champions League exit against Atletico Madrid. PA

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was mentioned as a possible candidate due to the turmoil at the London club following sanctions imposed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich but he has reaffirmed