Manchester United are closing in on the appointment of Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman now expected to beat Mauricio Pochettino to the job.
Sources close to the process insist a deal is still be finalised for the Ajax manager – but it is understood a nagreement is close to being reached.
Ten Hag moved ahead of Pochettino after being interviewed by United football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher during the international break.
United have now spoken to everyone under consideration for the job – and want their new man in place to lead their transfer business this summer.
It is understood that after that first round of interviews – described as both formal and informal – they believed they had enough information to make a decision.
Ten Hag particularly impressed Murtough and Fletcher with his vision for the club – but has faced stiff competition from Pochettino, who has the backing of high-level figures, including Sir Alex Ferguson.
United are expected to have to pay a compensation fee of around £2million to Ajax if Ten Hag takes over.
Sources say the club has conducted a thorough recruitment process since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November.
Pochettino was the favourite to become the next permanent manager – and would have been given the job immediately if Paris Saint-Germain had been willing to let him go mid-season.
But Ten Hag has since emerged as the leading candidate – particularly after impressing during talks.
