Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Rangnick gets his way, as Man Utd boss leads charge for chosen successor with ‘illustrious offer’

Mauricio Pochettino and Erik Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag has reportedly become Manchester United’s preferred new manager and interim boss Ralf Rangnick wants to pursue the Dutchman.

Ajax boss Ten Hag features on Man Utd‘s radar as they look to transition to another change of leadership. Rangnick has consolidated the results at Old Trafford but he is on the way out. He will therefore step into a United consultancy role.

As for who could step in, Ten Hag has impressed at Ajax. The 52-year-old has led the club two Eredivisie titles and the Champions League semi-finals.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino and Spain coach Luis Enrique are also on United’s radar.

Jamie Carragher, though, has claimed that the Red Devils should go after Ten Hag. And according to the Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag has become United’s favourite candidate – although the decision is not final.

Old Trafford chiefs feel impressed as to how the Dutchman has kept his Ajax team competitive despite losing their major stars.

He initially helped Ajax rise to newfound prominence with the team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. However, Matthijs de Ligt left for Juventus and Frenkie de Jong moved to Barcelona.

Furthermore, Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek made moves to Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively.

Eric Ten Hag learning English preparing for Manchester United job

Eric Ten Hag learning English preparing for Manchester United job

Ajax manager Eric Ten Hag is learning English as his interest in the Manchester United job grows

This term, Sebastian Haller – a January 2021 signing from West Ham – fired Ajax to the last 16 of the Champions League. Overall, he has hit 32 goals in 34 games.

As well as his coaching style, United are also aware that Ten Hag would come with a low compensation cost. That is in contrast to PSG boss Pochettino.

Elsewhere, Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Ten Hag has an ‘illustrious offer’ from Man Utd.

Rangnick, who reports have claimed made him his preferred candidate, has subsequently got his way.

The German now wants to lead the charge for Ten Hag at Man Utd as he prepares to step out of the United dugout.

Ten Hag must fit Man Utd criteria

Erik ten Hag Ajax March 2022

United must get their next managerial appointment right amid the clamour to end the club’s five-year trophy drought.

However, the new coach must also fit into the club’s values, as outlined by former midfielder Paul Scholes.

Scholes said: “We have had a lot of pain and I think there is still a bit more to come until we get where we want to.

“I keep saying it, and I know there is talk about people behind the scenes, but until we get a proper coach, a top-class elite coach from another football team which wins trophies and strikes fear into players [Man Utd will not get back to the highest level].

“Two or three, four years, it could be that long before they are challenging for the league. And I would snap your hand off for that now.”

United’s main focus for now is on finishing the season with a top-four Premier League finish. They return to action against Leicester after the international break.