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    Manchester United news: Shortlist down to two for Red Devils' next permanent manager

    Graeme BaileyGraeme Bailey22 March 2022
    Erik Ten Hag Mauricio Pochettino collage

    Erik Ten Hag Mauricio Pochettino collage

    Numerous names have been linked since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure but it’s looking increasingly likely that it will be one of Pochettino or Ten Hag who gets the job, according to Graeme Bailey.

    Current interim boss Ralf Rangnick arrived at the club in November following Solskjaer's departure and had been open to the idea of staying on.
    However, the former Red Bull sports supremo also agreed to move upstairs in a consultancy role and it is now clear he won't be the next permanent boss at Old Trafford.
    Graeme Bailey looks at the candidates to move into the hotseat, starting with the outsiders.

    Brendan Rodgers

    The Leicester City boss was at the forefront of United's thinking last year as a possible successor to Solskjaer.

    However, Leicester's form has dipped alarmingly this season to see his stock drop within the corridors of power at Old Trafford. It now looks like Rodgers will be concentrating on a rebuild at the King Power.

    Luis Enrique

    The Spain boss has a great CV, but is he about to turn down the chance to win a World Cup with his country? Unlikely.

    Julen Lopetegui

    Doing a wonderful job at Sevilla. However, the man who was axed by Real Madrid in 2018 after just two months in charge, looks an unlikely candidate to be trusted at one of the biggest clubs in the world again.

    Graham Potter

    One of the most highly-rated young coaches in the Premier League. Potter has been brilliant for Brighton but it would be a huge step for him to land this job. Has not been helped by the Seagulls' huge drop off in form recently either.

    Thomas Tuchel

    The Chelsea boss was linked to Manchester United in the wake of the ownership crisis at Stamford Bridge. However, there is no chance Tuchel abandons his work in west London.

    Carlo Ancelotti

    The Real Madrid boss is one of the options that has been explored by United, and why not? He is one of the most experienced bosses in the world. But is he walking away from the Santiago Bernabeu? Not anytime soon.

    So, all things considered, it is going to be a huge shock if one of the current Ajax or Paris Saint-Germain bosses is not in the Old Trafford hotseat come next season.

    Let's look at the frontunners.

    Erik ten Hag

    The Ajax boss has emerged as a top candidate after picking up a series of trophies in Amsterdam playing the 'Ajax' way.
    Whether Ten Hag can rival Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp is something United are contemplating.
    He is seen as having a higher ceiling than Pochettino, but is more of an unknown quantity. Will success in the much weaker Eredivisie translate to the Premier League?

    Mauricio Pochettino

    The Paris Saint-Germain manager has the experience, not just on the continent but also in England with Southampton and, most notably, Tottenham.

    Clearly less of a risk, there remain doubts over his ability to lift United to the next level - he was unable to do it with Spurs.
    He does represent a safe pair of hands, though, and would almost guarantee a top-four finish every year while bringing through young talent.

    READ MORE: Newcastle would be third in the Premier League based on points gained since end of transfer window

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