Erik ten Hag completes Man Utd interview, three managers on wishlist

Manchester United interviewed Ajax manager Erik ten Hag for the head coach position earlier this week, The Daily Mail claims.

The Red Devils are currently in the process of pursuing a permanent manager, and Ten Hag has been identified as one of the prime candidates.

It is now reported that Ten Hag had his interview for the job on Monday, but he is not the only one in the frame for the managerial vacancy.

Mauricio Pochettino, Julen Lopetegui and Luis Enrique are also on their radar, and could have formal interviews over the coming weeks.

Football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher have shortlisted the candidates. United want to appoint their next manager by the end of April with a view to taking charge this summer.

Our view:

United started the season brightly after the big-money signings of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, but things have gone pear-shaped in recent months.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed from the helm in November. There has been an improvement under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, but not enough to keep them in the top four.

United are now four points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand. They may need to win almost every game hereon to qualify for the Champions League.

With Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea still to face, that remains a big challenge for them. Nine straight wins may also not guarantee a top-four spot unless their rivals slip up.

Regardless of where they finish, there could be a mini overhaul of the first-team squad this summer with several out-of-favour and unsettled players heading for the exit door.

Having failed to win silverware for five seasons with big spending, the onus could now shift to a long-term plan. United may prefer potential over experience in terms of summer signings.

Ten Hag, 52, appears the right man for the job with his ability to work with young players and groom them into potential world-beaters. However, Pochettino could also be a realistic target.

While the compensation for his release from Paris Saint-Germain could be higher, United may value his stints at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. The latter reached the Champions League final under him.