Manchester United is allegedly evaluating five applicants for the position of permanent manager in the summer. Despite offering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer unconditional support last year, United executives chose to cut ties with the club legend after a poor start to the season.
In the weeks leading up to Solskjaer’s dismissal, Antonio Conte was seen as the top target, but Tottenham moved in to take the Italian head coach off the market.
With no quick replacements available, United chose to appoint Ralf Rangnick until the conclusion of the season, after which he will become a consultant.
However, there is a potential that Rangnick will remain as United’s manager beyond the summer.
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Rangnick is one of five finalists for the permanent role, according to ESPN.
Despite dismal defeats against Newcastle, Wolves, and Aston Villa, United’s form has improved under Rangnick.
They’ve moved into the Champions League places after back-to-back victories over Brentford and West Ham, and they’ve got a good run of games coming up in the next two weeks.
His application to stay on as manager beyond the summer will be heavily influenced by how United finishes this season and whether he can compete for honors in the FA Cup and Champions League.
However, Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are rumored to be two potential targets for United this summer.
The names of the other two candidates have not been released, although Brendan Rodgers, Zinedine Zidane, and Diego Simeone have all been connected with the Old Trafford post in recent months.
Regardless of who comes in, he or she will be faced with a number of difficult decisions on the playing squad right away.
Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, and Jesse Lingard are all out of contract in the summer, while a slew of others appears to be fed up with a lack of playing time.
United football director John Murtough is said to have encouraged those considering leaving Old Trafford to postpone their choice until the new manager is named.
United is said to have an offer on the table for Pogba, but the Frenchman has yet to decide on his next move.
In the January transfer window, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial both obtained loan deals away from Manchester United.
However, the pair is poised to return to Old Trafford in the summer, with United’s leadership suggesting that they both wait and see if the new manager wants them.
