Man Utd identify 'alternative' manager target after PSG's Pochettino warning

Manchester United will raid Ajax for manager Erik ten Hag if they are unable to prise Mauricio Pochettino from Paris Saint-Germain next summer, according to reports.

The Red Devils are on the cusp of unveiling Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis until the end of the season, when they will then need to appoint a permanent boss.

Pochettino is widely believed to be their priority target and he has been monitored by Old Trafford chiefs since his fine spell with Tottenham Hotspur.

However, PSG activated a clause to extend his contract until 2023 earlier this year and sporting director Leonardo has poured cold water on speculation the Argentine will depart.

"We do not want Pochettino to leave," Leonardo told French outlet AFP on Friday.

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"He never asked to leave and no club contacted us in relation to him."

With United's swoop for Pochettino in doubt, they have sounded out the highly-rated Ten Hag as their alternative target.

That is according to the Daily Mail, which claims the Dutchman is interested in the United job and would be allowed to leave at the end of the season, one year before his contract expires.

Ten Hag has been in charge of the Amsterdam giants since 2017, winning four major honours and reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

United have a strong bond with Ajax thanks to their legendary former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar serving as sporting director for the Eredivisie club.

Van der Sar had an important part to play in Donny van de Beek's £40million transfer to the Red Devils in 2020.

His enduring relationship with United would ease negotiations between the two sides and United are also believed to want Ten Hag's assistants, Mitchell van der Gaag and Michael Reiziger, to join him by moving to the Premier League.

The report adds the trio would find United's approaches too enticing to turn down.

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United's hierarchy hope Rangnick's imminent appointment as interim will give them the time they need to thoroughly assess each of their candidates to permanently succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is also on their radar.

Rangnick, meanwhile, is expected to remain at the club in a two-year consultancy role after his term as interim comes to an end, although he may also be interested in staying on in the dugout for the long-term.

In the meantime, caretaker Michael Carrick will lead United against Chelsea on Sunday.