‘There are three major options for Ten Hag. United is only one of them.”
Erik Ten Hag has offers from two other major European clubs, despite intensifying speculation that the Ajax manager is poised to become Manchester United’s next manager.
Ten Hag is reported to have held positive talks with United over replacing interim manager Ralf Rangnick earlier this week. He has frequently been linked with the position at Old Trafford since the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this season.
However, according to Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan, Ten Hag is a man in demand, with United not the only club exploring the option of prising him from Ajax in time for the start of next season.
Ten Hag wanted by two other major European clubs
Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, he said: “Whether Manchester United are the favourite club for Erik Ten Hag is very much the question at this moment.
“I know everyone gets very excited in the UK. In Holland the atmosphere is different. There are three major options for Ten Hag and Manchester United is only one of them.”
Van der Kraan added: “Yes, United have had positive talks, but so have two other major clubs in Europe and one of those clubs is very, very concrete for Ten Hag. That’s on the mainland, not in England.
“I know for a fact Ten Hag is very excited about that job too and if Manchester United want to get things going, they will have to speed things up. They will have to make things concrete, have to put a contract out to him, because I think there’s a real danger it could be too late for him.”
United need to ‘speed things up’
Pressed on which other clubs were interested, Van der Kraan gave nothing away, adding only that they were big Champions League clubs with “chances to win trophies in their own countries”.
🗣️ "Edwin van der Sar does not want to go into talks with Man United over letting him go."
Dutch Football expert Marcel van der Kraan says Erik Ten Hag will need more convincing to become #MUFC manager even though he has had positive talks with the club.pic.twitter.com/BtPJJmbauD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 23, 2022
United are though to have identified at least four other candidates to become their next permanent manager. Mauricio Pochettino is another name who has consistently been linked with the club, with Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui and Spain boss Luis Enrique also reportedly in the frame.
Related links:
- Man Utd want ex-player to be Erik Ten Hag’s assistant
- Man United have spoken to Erik ten Hag about becoming the club’s next manager
- Paul Scholes names Man Utd manager he’d prefer to Pochettino or Ten Hag
