Manchester United have started the process of appointing a new permanent manager with efforts being made to arrange ‘preliminary conversations’ with the club’s candidates.
United have finalised a shortlist of candidates for the vacant role, with Ralf Rangnick having been named as interim manager until the end of the season following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.
Rangnick has taken the position on a short-term basis until the end of the season and will move into a consultatory position with the Red Devils in the summer.
He has guided the club to seven league wins from 12 fixtures in charge, whilst United will face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday evening.
The Athletic are reporting that Mauricio Pochettino and Erik Ten Hag are among the options being considered for the permanent position, but there are complications with the club’s pursuit of both candidates mid-season.
Pochettino and Ten Hag are currently at sides competing for major honours both domestically and in Europe, with both Paris Saint-Germain and Ajax likely to be reluctant to accepting approaches and potential distractions during the season’s run-in.
United are keen to make an appointment as soon as feasible, however, giving the incoming manager as much time as possible to prepare for the 2022/23 season.
