Following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this season, current manager Ralf Rangnick was appointed on an interim basis, followed by a brief caretaker tenure from Michael Carrick.
The interim nature of the job is claimed to be generating some complications within the club in terms of future planning, with transfer deals and contract renewals delaying until the new manager’s preferences are known.
According to Ornstein, this has prompted the United board to speed up the appointment and announcement, despite the fact that the new manager will not officially take over until the season is over.
‘[United] are attempting to complete their managerial process as soon as possible,’ he said to Sky Sports.
‘They hope to complete it in the next weeks, ideally by the end of March.’
‘That’s why they sped up the process.’ They were meeting with candidates, narrowing their shortlist, and hoping to have a chosen candidate in place as soon as possible so that the next manager can be a key part of the decision-making process around squad building for next season and beyond, as well as the transfer window, which will be crucial for Manchester United in terms of incomings and outgoings.
‘They’ll have to assemble a new coaching staff as well.’
‘That is why, in no particular order, Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag have emerged as the primary prospects, and there may be a number of others as well.’
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Others, according to Ornstein, are Julien Lopetegui and Luis Enrique, however, he noted that it would surprise him if the post went to anyone other than Ten Hag or Pochettino.
Mauricio Pochettino or Erik Ten Hag?
David Ornstein says that he sees it as a two-way battle for who becomes the next Manchester United manager 👀 pic.twitter.com/yQHVxNi7jP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 20, 2022
In terms of which of the two he believes will be more successful, Ornstein stated, ‘it depends who you listen to,’ noting that members of the hierarchy are supposed to prefer the Dutchman, while Sir Alex Ferguson and the players are thought to prefer the Argentinian.
The identities are nearly the same as when the journalist last issued an update on the situation, but the expected timescale may surprise many.
If Ornstein is correct, United’s announcement will be made within the next 11 days, and Ten Hag may be considered more likely than Pochettino in that scenario. PSG could fire the latter at the end of the season, but this is unlikely to happen sooner.
To release their current head coach, United would have to pay substantial compensation to PSG at this time. Ten Hag, on the other hand, would be a low-cost acquisition.
