Manchester United are reportedly close to finalising a deal with Erik ten Hag to become their next permanent manger, though interim boss Ralf Rangnick refused to confirm the rumours.
If Ten Hag does take over at Old Trafford, it will be his first job managing in England and pundit Paul Merson has said that hiring the Dutchman would be a risk for United. The club have interviewed Ten Hag and former Tottenham Hotspur Mauricio Pochettino for the vacant position.
United will be in the market for a striker in the summer and have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Benfica's Darwin Nunez, although they may have to recruit players without the lure of Champions League football as their top four hopes remain in doubt.
Here are Mirror Football's latest Manchester United headlines.
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Rangnick gives Ten Hag update
Rumours have ramped up over the past few days that United are close to appointing Ten Hag as their next permanent boss.
Ten Hag has excelled at Ajax over the past five years and has long been among the favourites to get the job at Old Trafford at the end of the season. With news surfacing that United and the Dutchman are close to finalising terms Rangnick was asked on Friday whether he could confirm the latest speculation.
“This is the press conference for tomorrow’s game and I don’t intend to speak about any new managers here,” Rangnick said to reporters.
Merson delivers Ten Hag verdict
United will be risking a lot by hiring Ten Hag, according to former player-turned pundit Merson.
The Red Devils had a four-man shortlist which included former Tottenham boss Pochettino and Ten Hag, though it seems the club have decided on hiring the latter. With no experience of managing in England, Paul Merson has said it could be a disaster with the club desperate to make the right call.
"You can't win anything without a good manager and I'm not sure how good a manager Ten Hag is," wrote in his Daily Star column.
Target Nunez transfer boost
Regardless of who takes over at Old Trafford in the summer, signing a new striker must be a priority. Edinson Cavani is set to leave, Anthony Martial's future is unclear whilst Cristiano Ronaldo too has been linked with an early exit from Manchester.
One of the alleged targets is Benfica's Darwin Nunez, who impressed against Premier league opposition in Liverpool during the week. In a move which could help bring him to Manchester, Nunez has left his current representatives and is set to be represented by super agent Jorge Mendes.
The striker has scored 28 goals in 33 league games and found the back of net against Liverpool in the 3-1 defeat.
