Erik ten Hag ‘has been in contact with Manchester United players’ ahead of likely job interview

Erik ten Hag ‘has been in contact with Man United players to find out more about the squad’ as Dutch coach prepares for a likely interview for Old Trafford manager’s role… as Mauricio Pochettino insists on being the club’s No 1 choice

Erik ten Hag ‘has been asking Manchester United’s players about the squad via intermediaries’ as he gathers as much information as possible ahead of a potential interview for the manager’s role.

The Ajax head coach, 52, is a strong candidate to become the next permanent manager at Old Trafford after interim Ralf Rangnick steps down at the end of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino, who is likely to lose his job as Paris Saint-Germain manager following their dramatic Champions League exit on Wednesday night, is another leading candidate and believed to be the players’ choice.

Erik ten Hag has reportedly sounded out Manchester United players as he gathers as much information as possible ahead of a possible interview for the manager's vacancy

Erik ten Hag has reportedly sounded out Manchester United players as he gathers as much information as possible ahead of a possible interview for the manager’s vacancy 

Ten Hag has 'contacted United players via third parties' and is a frontrunner for the role

Ten Hag has ‘contacted United players via third parties’ and is a frontrunner for the role

But The Times report that Ten Hag has carried out his due diligence on the United team by asking players about the squad via third parties. He is also seeking to learn as much information as he can about the way the club is run.

Ten Hag has gained a reputation for playing attractive, attacking football in five years with Ajax, leading them to two Eredivisie titles and the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.

They were beaten on that occasion by Pochettino’s Tottenham side and the two managers top United’s shortlist, with the club seeking to confirm the appointment as early as possible to best prepare for next season.

The Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has also been linked to the vacancy.

Sportsmail understands that Pochettino, 50, would need to feel he is top of United’s list of candidates before agreeing to move to Old Trafford.

The Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is another lead candidate for the job

The Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is another lead candidate for the job

Ralf Rangnick is serving as the club's interim manager until the end of the season

Ralf Rangnick is serving as the club’s interim manager until the end of the season

Man United fixtures 

Premier League unless stated 

March 12 Tottenham Hotspur (H)

March 15 Atletico Madrid (H)

Champions League last-16, second leg

April 2 Leicester City (H)

April 9 Everton (A)

April 16 Norwich City (H)

His PSG team surrendered a two-goal aggregate lead to Real Madrid to crash out of Europe, with Karim Benzema scoring three goals in the space of 17 minutes at the Bernabeu.

The furious PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi is ready to sack the Argentine even if the team go on to win the Ligue 1 title this season.

Pochettino said after the match: ‘The present is all I can deal with. As for the future, what will be will be.’

Former Southampton and Tottenham manager Pochettino will not be short of offers if he leaves PSG and wants assurances that United see him as first choice.

United were linked with Pochettino after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, but it will be a simpler process if he is out of work and won’t involve having to pay compensation.

The former Tottenham boss is keen to return to England having lived in a Paris hotel for the last 14 months while his family have remained in London.

Yet Old Trafford sources confirmed that Ten Hag has emerged as a genuine rival for the job.

Pochettino's PSG side capitulated dramatically against Real Madrid on Wednesday night

Pochettino’s PSG side capitulated dramatically against Real Madrid on Wednesday night

Their 3-1 defeat transpired thanks to a stunning 17-minute hat-trick from Karim Benzema

Their 3-1 defeat transpired thanks to a stunning 17-minute hat-trick from Karim Benzema

Ajax will not stand in his way if he is offered the role, and Sportsmail revealed last week that he has started taking English lessons.

United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has not given up on getting the job – despite publicly playing down his interest – but that seems unlikely.

Uncertainty over who will be in charge next season is said to be having a negative effect on players.

United host Tottenham on Saturday facing a desperate task to finish in the top four.



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