'Very close' - Journalist drops huge Man Utd managerial update; McClaren has voiced his approval

Taking to Twitter, Sky Sports reporter Angelo Mangiante has delivered a fresh update on the pursuit of the next permanent Manchester United manager. 

As the Red Devils continue to stutter towards the end of the season with interim manager Ralf Rangnick at the helm, it had appeared that the shortlist has been whittled down to Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino and current Ajax chief Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman – who held ‘positive talks’ with the United board recently – could now be pulling clear as a frontrunner for the Old Trafford hotseat as speculation intensifies.

Ten Hag certainly appears to be the preferred candidate, judging by a fresh reveal from Mangiante…

As per the Sky journalist, replying to a post on Twitter, Manchester United are closing in on the 52-year-old.

Mangiante wrote: “Erik ten Hag is now very close and he still leading the race to become the new Manchester United manager. For sure, he wants a final answer from Manchester United as soon as possible. In any case, compensation for Erik ten Hag is not an issue for Manchester United.”

Ten Hag could be set to become the permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the United legend was relieved of his duties in November.

Although the managerial post in M16 has been somewhat of a poisoned chalice in recent times, the former FC Twente centre-back certainly has the credentials to succeed in Manchester.

Having lifted five major trophies in Netherlands, including two Eredivisie titles, Ten Hag has developed a winning style primarily utilising a 4-3-3 formation at Ajax.

Albeit a wholly different landscape, the Dutchman has also been able to develop and produce exciting young talent and was praised for possessing a ‘clear philosophy’ by Steve