Man United in 2021: Ronaldo's return, Ole out and Rangnick revolution
Manchester United have already overcome a hurdle when it comes to potentially hiring Erik ten Hag as their next permanent manager. The Red Devils are interested in the Dutchman as they look for a full-time successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked earlier in the season. Ralf Rangnick, meanwhile, isn’t expected to be given the keys to the club despite being hired as interim manager.
Manchester United sacked Solskjaer back in November, less than 24 hours after a chastening 4-1 defeat away at Watford.
The club did contemplate hiring a permanent manager for the Norwegian but, in the end, opted to hire Rangnick on an interim basis instead.
It’s been a mixed start to life at Old Trafford for the German, who has been struggling to coax the best from his star-studded squad.
He isn’t expected to be put under consideration for the job full-time come the summer, however.
And that means United are primed to embark on yet another managerial hunt.
Ten Hag has been strongly linked, with some saying the Ajax boss is their main target when it comes to taking over.
And Fabrizio Romano, speaking to The United Stand, has claimed Ten Hag has no interest in signing a new contract over in Amsterdam.
That bodes well for the Red Devils, who would likely have faced a huge challenge when it comes to his potential appointment had he renewed his current deal.
Ten Hag apparently wants to explore his options at the end of the season, while the Glazers plan to start looking at different managers from March.
He may, therefore, find the chance to manage United too tough to turn down - though he isn’t the only name the board have in mind.
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Manchester United are also admirers of Mauricio Pochettino (Image: GETTY)
Yet when results under the Norwegian were too good to ignore, they abandoned their pursuit of the Argentine again.
Pochettino would be keen to return to the Premier League at some point, especially with his family still living in England.
And he’s another name United remain strongly linked with as they plan for a brighter future.
There is admiration within Old Trafford for Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann.
However, the German would be reluctant to leave the reigning Bundesliga champions after just one year.
Manchester United aren't expected to keep Ralf Rangnick as permanent manager (Image: GETTY)
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Meanwhile, former Arsenal star Ray Parlour was recently quizzed on United’s managerial situation.
And he claimed Pochettino would be ‘top of the list’ of potential Solskjaer and Rangnick successors.
"He would be top of the list you'd imagine. It's whether they can get him. It looks like they might've done a deal," Parlour told talkSPORT.
"Behind the scenes, I'm sure they've got their one, two and three, their agents will be saying 'is he interested, is he ready to go in the summer', he knows the Premier League, he's been at Spurs so I think he'll be a good fit for Manchester United."
United are next in action against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday (5.30pm).