Manchester United may have already been dealt a key boost in their pursuit of Erik ten Hag thanks to an admission made by Ajax CEO Ewdin van der Sar.
The Red Devils are in the process of recruiting their next permanent manager with Ralf Rangnick's interim stint due to end this summer. Ten Hag is a leading contender to take over at Old Trafford, although Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is also in the frame.
The Dutchman - who is under contract until 2023 - has earned many admirers since his appointment at Ajax in 2017, leading the Eredivisie giants to four major honours and the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. Van der Sar is well aware of interest in Ten Hag's services and, speaking last year, declared the club would be ready to replace him in the eventuality he leaves.
"This means that we are doing something well. It's the same with the players," the former United goalkeeper told Dutch TV channel RTL7 of Ten Hag's links with an exit from the Johan Cruyff Arena. "When we perform, the interest comes. If there is interest in our players or coach... We've all been blown away in the past. So be it, we have to make sure we're ready by then. That the lists are filled in."
This season, Ajax are in a commanding position in the table as they aim to defend their Eredivisie crown. The Amsterdam club defeated Feyenoord 3-2 on Sunday to extend their lead at the summit, although PSV Eindhoven are not out of the title race. Ajax will face PSV in the Dutch Cup final in mid-April, again looking to maintain the trophy.
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However, Ten Hag has struggled to replicate this domestic success on the European stage and Ajax were eliminated from the Champions League with a 1-0 defeat at home by Benfica on Tuesday. Darwin Nunez scored the only goal of the last-16 second leg to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory for the Portuguese club and leave the Ajax boss with "bitter" regret.
"We played good football, we were good defensively, and we also played good pressing. Then it is bitter that you do not win," Ten Hag told RTL after the game. "But small mistakes have big consequences, you will see that tonight, and in Lisbon. We know that they are strong in set-pieces and then there is a miscommunication between two players. We have neutralised them completely, except for one moment."
Meanwhile, United are also believed to be weighing up a swoop for Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who has joined Ten Hag and Pochettino on their managerial shortlist.
