Manchester United are at an advanced stage in their search for a new manager, with the final decision between Ajax coach Erik ten Hag and PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino.
Both are currently under contract at their respective clubs and focussed on winning their domestic league titles in the Netherlands and France. The Dutch Eredivisie concludes on May 15 and France’s Ligue 1 on April 30.
United’s football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher have had several rounds of meetings, which began six weeks ago following a period of detailed research and consultation on the United side, which included the views of several former United players.
After years of under achieving, United are determined to employ a manager who can make the club successful again.
In the meetings with managers or their representatives which followed, United discussed in detail the intentions and ideas of the candidates. Murtough and Fletcher know the importance of the appointment and wanted as much clarity as possible. When interviewing for the position of United’s interim manager last November, the meetings with candidates lasted up to two-and-a-half hours.
Chief executive while Richard Arnold will be guided primarily by Murtough and Fletcher from a football perspective and has now become involved in discussions and meetings around the two leading candidates. It is understood that both would like to manage Manchester United.
United fans favour Ten Hag, 52, who has done an excellent job at Ajax. In one poll on the United We Stand fanzine, 62 per cent went for the former Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich B, Utrecht and current Ajax manager, with 38 per cent preferring the former Espanyol, Southampton, Spurs and current PSG coach.
Former England manager and United assistant manager Steve McClaren, who had Ten Hag as assistant at FC Twente in the Netherlands a decade ago, gave United a glowing assessment of him and said he had the attributes to succeed, provided he gets the right support network around him.
However, several former players and managers think the Argentinian, 50, would be a better fit. Nicky Butt last week said: “I’d go all out and get Pochettino as manager. He’s proven in the Premier League, he’s young and enthusiastic. His style of play would suit Man United and his backroom staff seem switched on. I met him a couple of times at Tottenham’s training ground and had lunch with him. He was someone who you’d want to play for.”
Butt, who was at United in a senior role for nine years until leaving a year ago, also said United need stability over anything else, saying: “United can’t keep having interim managers or learners in powerful positions at the club. They need people who have been there, seen it and done it.”
Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui, 55, is one of the coaches who United had on a four-man shortlist. He is not out of the running, but it’s highly improbable that he’ll be moving to England and stated last week how happy he is in Andalusia.
Spain manager Luis Enrique, who has many admirers at Old Trafford, is seen to have all the qualities required and was also recommended by several former United players. But the Spaniard has made it clear that he’s committed to Spain for the World Cup finals later this year.
United have no appetite to go into next season with an interim manager at the risk of writing off another campaign. The club want clarity going into the summer and players being targeted by the club are also asking who the manager is likely to be.
Current interim boss Ralph Rangnick has limited say in the matter and has been asked to concentrate on seeing the season out and getting United in as high a league position as possible. United are currently seventh in the Premier League, with the team having won eight, drawn six and lost two of the league games since the German took over.
United have also exited the FA Cup and Champions League at home. It’s not an easy job for Rangnick, who presides over a divided team, but his successor will be expected to do significantly better.
Manchester United 1 Leicester City 1: player ratings
-
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 6 Almost nothing to do. Got his hand to Leicester’s opener. And got his hand to a 72nd minute Fofana header. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 6 Watched the ball on a cross for too long but still blocked a 35th minute shot from Barnes. Better in the second half after a quiet first opening 45. Getty -
Raphael Varane 7 As good as he always is until the goal, then the cross went between him and Telles. Won the ball which led to the equaliser. Fouled by Maddison before VAR took a Leicester goal away. PA -
Harry Maguire 7 Fans sang his name in the week when he was booed by England fans. He did little wrong in the first half. Good game. EPA -
Luke Shaw 5 Booked. Came off at half time after going down without any contact on 38. Getty -
Fred 7 Set up Fernandes in the first half. Took the ball away on a counter, but the break broke down and Leicester scored. Then he equalised on 66, playing a part in the build up and smashing the ball into the net. Best United player. Reuters -
Scott McTominay 5 Mediocre in the first half; left his foot in the air for a 50th minute challenge on Maddison and was fortunate it was only a booking. First player off. Wise decision. Reuters -
Paul Pogba 5 Limited. With Ronaldo out and Cavani always out, United needed him to do something special. He didn’t. Reuters -
Anthony Elanga 7 Nicked the ball to set up Fernandes on 26. Got back well. Lively. Should have done better with a Matic ball with the defender missed on 77. AP -
Jadon Sancho 5 Wasn’t in the game, did take players on and set up Leicester with an excellent 71st minute chance. Lost possession in the 78th minute when bringing the ball from defence. Skewed a shot wide on 92 and lost the ball on 95. Reuters -
Bruno Fernandes 6 Newly signed up with a fresh contract extension, he played as a false nine. Shot along the floor on target after 26. Could have done better, but his shot led to the goal. EPA -
SUBS: Alex Telles 6 On for Shaw at half-time. Leicester’s goal went between the Brazilian and Varane. Did ok. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford 5 On for McTominay after 55. Limited impact. EPA -
Nemanja Matic 6 On for Pogba after 75. Played a good ball towards Elanga on 77. AFP -
LEICESTER CITY RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel 5 A big save denied Bruno Fernandes from putting Manchester United ahead. Didn’t do enough to clear the Portugal international’s effort in the second half, palming it to Fred who finished to equalise. EPA -
James Justin 6 - Looked a threat when driving forward up the right flank but could have benefitted from more support from his team-mates in attack. Got the pass all wrong with the Foxes breaking at the end of the game. Getty -
Wesley Fofana 6 - Valuable minutes in the bag will help Fofana as he works back to full fitness. The centre-back was quick to react to the danger but there was sometimes a lack of organisation with Leicester City’s line at different levels. Came close to giving Leicester the lead with a powerful header. PA -
Jonny Evans 6 An assured performance but that was cut short as he was forced off with injury close to the hour-mark. Reuters -
Timothy Castagne 7 Crucial header prevented a cross early-on that looked like it was going to be met by a red shirt. Didn’t allow any danger to come down his flank, regularly winning his individual battles. Reuters -
Nampalys Mendy 6 Won the ball back a number of times in midfield and kept things simple. Reuters -
James Maddison 7 - Delivered a precise ball into the box for Barnes that could have helped Leicester City get the lead, a questionable foul call from the referees saw his well-taken finish ruled out. Came into the game in spells after taking a heavy challenge from Scott McTominay. AP -
Youri Tielemans 6 Didn’t do anything too spectacular, keeping his play simple without taking much risk with his decisions. A crucial intervention broke a Manchester United counter-attack of promise in the second half. Getty -
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 7 Linked well with Harvey Barnes as the Leicester City midfielder looked to play with intent to get the ball forward. Won the ball back for the opening goal and played an incisive pass down the channel. AP -
Harvey Barnes 7 Showed impressive flair and looked like the player most likely to make something happen for his Foxes. Got to James Maddison’s ball in the first half but couldn’t direct his shot on target. AFP -
Kelechi Iheanacho 7 Should have done much better with his chance at the half-hour mark but made no mistake with his chance in the second half, with the power on his connection too much for David De Gea. Reuters -
SUBS: Daniel Amartey Daniel Amartey (Evans 64) 5 A poor pass put Schmeichel under pressure and his clearance led to United’s equaliser. Getty -
Hamza Choudhury (Mendy 90). Patson Daka (Iheanacho 90) PA
