Report reveals who Man Utd will ‘turn to’ if they miss out on Poch

Joe Williams
Man Utd-linked Mauricio Pochettino glances up

Man Utd will look to appoint Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag in the summer if they miss out on Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino, according to reports.

The Red Devils will look to appoint a long-term successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the summer with Ralf Rangnick set to take charge on an interim basis until the end of the season.

A report yesterday claimed that Man Utd had agreed a deal in principle with Lokomotiv Moscow to allow their director of sports and development to move to Old Trafford.


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Man Utd have been looking for a candidate for the interim role since sacking Solskjaer on Sunday following a poor run of results culminating in their 4-1 loss to newly-promoted Watford last Saturday.

Michael Carrick has been in caretaker charge since, winning his first match against Villarreal 2-0 in midweek, and will be taking the team again against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Former Tottenham boss Pochettino is favourite for the permanent role in the summer after being linked with the job in previous years.

The Daily Mail still claim that the Argentine ‘is United’s preferred candidate as permanent head coach’ but that Ten Hag is ‘a genuine rival to the Paris Saint-Germain boss in the race to land the job’.

Ten Hag is described as an ‘alternative target’ if they can’t land Pochettino and Man Utd will have no hesitation in turning to the Ajax manager.

The Dutchman is ‘interested in the United job and Ajax would not stand in his way if he wants to leave at the end of the season’ while Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar ‘will likely play a key role in any move for Ten Hag’.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho finally scored his first goal for the club in the win at Villarreal on Tuesday night and Carrick predicts a “massive future” for him at Man Utd after a difficult start.

Carrick told a press conference on Friday: “He’s a terrific player, Jadon. He’s never happier than when the ball’s at his feet, he’s trying to create things, going at defenders, linking inside with forwards, creating chances and scoring goals.

“I’ve seen that in training and games already. The biggest thing for me the other night was the other side of his game; his attitude, work-rate and mentality. He put a whole performance together and I was really pleased for him.

“It’s not always easy to just step into this club and perform, especially as a younger player. He’s got a massive future ahead of him if keeps doing the right things, looks after himself and has the right attitude.

“Who’s to say how far he can go? Hopefully he fulfils every little bit of potential that he has. The potential he’s got is massive, if he keeps doing the right things and keeps on the right track, then he’s got a great chance.

“Of course we believe in him. I’m not surprised by what he did the other night.

“I’ve seen it in training in recent weeks, that spring in his step coming back, in the body language, his personality, there’s a little spark there and hopefully that spark keeps getting bigger and he keeps improving.”