According to MEN writer Samuel Luckhurst, Manchester United could appoint their next permanent manager before the end of the season.
United’s search for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s full-time replacement has progressed, and the club may be able to reach an agreement well before the summer transfer window opens on July 1.
Mauricio Pochettino of PSG and Erik ten Hag of Ajax are the frontrunners to replace Solskjaer at United, who are said to have unofficially contacted Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers while he was in charge. Rodgers is still being considered.
According to the source, United believes that the sooner a manager is selected, the better, in light of Tottenham’s ludicrous attempt to replace Jose Mourinho last summer.
The process is thought to be being led by United football director John Murtough, with Ralf Rangnick also involved before starting his consultant post on July 1.
Incoming CEO Richard Arnold will not be substantially involved in football matters, although any management appointment would require co-chairman Joel Glazer’s approval.
United is also keen to avoid a repetition of the period following David Moyes’ appointment in 2013. The club stated Moyes will take over from Sir Alex Ferguson on May 9, but decided not to give Everton compensation to get him out of his contract, which expired on June 30. Moyes began working for United on July 1 and has subsequently expressed regret for the delay.
Mourinho took over at United on May 27, 2016, and the club had one of their most successful transfer seasons ever. On March 28, Solskjaer was promoted from caretaker to permanent manager, and United won two of their final ten games, losing six.
Given the possibility that Solskjaer’s replacement is already employed, it’s uncertain if United will make a formal statement comparable to Manchester City’s revelation that Pep Guardiola would replace Manuel Pellegrini on February 1, 2016.
Pochettino, 49, is still hungry to manage United and was willing to move in the middle of the season if necessary. Pochettino’s contract with PSG expires in 2023, and United considered releasing him, but a source familiar with the talks in November said the Qatari-owned club ‘played a clever game.’
Ten Hag, 51, is renowned at United for breaking Ajax’s five-year title drought in 2019 and leading the team to the Champions League final by defeating Real Madrid and Juventus in the previous knockout rounds. This season, Ajax was the only team to win all six of their group stage games, and they will meet Benfica in the round of 16.
Following the departure of Donny van de Beek 18 months ago, United and Ajax enjoy a positive relationship, with the Dutch champions inquiring about loaning Dean Henderson.
