Former Man United assistant could return as No.2 to 'mini Pep' Ten Hag

The 52-year-old Dutchman continues to be linked with the Old Trafford post with Ralf Rangnick set to move into his consultancy role at the end of the season.

Should the current Ajax boss be drafted in, McClaren could return to the Red Devils as his right-hand man, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.

McClaren previously acted as No.2 to Sir Alex Ferguson between 1999 and 2001.

The former Middlesbrough and Newcastle boss would certainly add the Premier League experience Ten Hag lacks, and the pair previously worked together at FC Twente.

The roles were reversed in the Eredivisie, however, with McLaren in charge and Ten Hag as his assistant. Both helped the Dutch side to finish second in the league in the 2008/09 season. Twente won the Dutch top flight the following season but Ten Hag had left at that point.

Former England boss McClaren is a huge fan of the 52-year-old and has praised his tactical awareness and overall management.

"His great strength lies not just in his attention to detail and organisation", he told The Daily Telegraph last month.

"He has a clear philosophy of how he wants to play football, the environment he wants to create.

"Tactically he's outstanding. He worked with Pep [Guardiola] at Bayern Munich and took in his philosophy too.

"They called him 'Mini Pep' out there. He's ready. A lot of top clubs in Germany and England will be out to get him.

"I would have to sit in the stand to analyse games that way but he can do it from the touchline and initiate changes.

"He was invaluable in my first year. I would not have survived if it hadn't been for his work and his understanding of the game.

"He's proved he can do it at the top level at Ajax. In terms of changing games, he is second to none."

It's understood Man United will have to pay in the region of £1.6million if they are to prise Ten Hag, who signed a new two-year contract last summer, away from Ajax.

It's reported the 13-time Premier League winners have made enquires over his services, with talks already taking place last week.

Ajax won their game at the weekend, beating FC Groningen 3-1 away, while second placed PSV Eindhoven dropped points with a 3-3 draw against Twente.

The gap at the top of the Eredivisie is now five points, as Ten Hag aims for a third domestic title.