Man Utd ‘picked Erik ten Hag out of EIGHT-man shortlist, Mauricio Pochettino ruled out over Real Madrid fears’

MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly selected Ajax boss Erik ten Hag from an EIGHT-MAN shortlist but avoided Mauricio Pochettino for fear Real Madrid might pinch him.

The Dutchman is said to have verbally agreed to take over at Old Trafford, replacing interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

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Rangnick will then move into a behind-the-scenes advisory role, supporting the new manager.

But according to ESPN, United were also interested in Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers and Paris Saint-Germain’s Pochettino.

A move for Pochettino was not made as United feared Real Madrid would poach the Argentine from under their noses.

Spain coach Luis Enrique and Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui were reportedly on the shortlist.

Other candidates included Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann, Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.

Expected boss Ten Hag has been compared to Premier League star Jose Mourinho.

Former Liverpool stopper Sander Westerveld said: “Well, I’m not sure.

“He fits Man United and he will be the perfect manager for Man United because he is a quality manager.

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“He is a different manager, he is not a manager who trains, he is a manager who changes teams, like Klopp and Guardiola and even Mourinho in his prime. So he will definitely change Man United.”

“The only thing is that it’s a difficult team at the moment, it’s a difficult club to manage at the moment.

“So hopefully he gets the time and if he gets the time and they give him the time then I think he’ll be the best option for Man United at the moment.”