Man Utd set to finalize Erik ten Hag appointment

is getting closer to appointing

as their new manager. According to GOAL, the Dutchman has topped the shortlist of contenders to succeed

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

permanently, and further talks to iron out the terms of the contract are now underway.

According to club insiders, the search for the next manager is still ongoing, and no agreement has been reached. During the most recent international break, United stepped up their recruitment efforts to appoint a new manager before the season's end.

The club wants to have someone in place as soon as possible after the season ends so that it may have the final say on transfer targets and be ready for the pre-season trip. Ten Hag and

Mauricio Pochettino

were the front-runners, but it's believed the former has risen to the top after impressing in his formal interview two weeks ago.

The 52-year-old has yet to sign a contract, but there is growing speculation that he will be named the club's new permanent manager once the legalities are worked out. Man United were reportedly swayed by the £1.7 million compensation package to be handed to Ajax over the £15 million they would have had to pay PSG for Pochettino.

United has not ruled out making a formal statement about their managerial decision before the end of the season, but they are sensitive to the other club's feelings. With six games remaining in the Eredivisie,

are four points ahead of

, who are now in second place. The other two possibilities on the club's four-man shortlist were Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui and Spain manager, Luis Enrique. Still, the former declared himself out of contention last month, stating he is happy at Sevilla, while the latter is preparing to lead Spain to the

World Cup

.

The club did not want to hire another interim manager, which pushed Enrique further down the pecking order. However, it is understood that Carlo Ancelotti was considered for the position if the Man Utd hierarchy decided Enrique was worth waiting for. While Thomas Tuchel is regarded as a great manager, no attempt was made to recruit him.

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