Erik ten Hag was inquisitive about Manchester United's transfer plans during his interview for the job.
The Red Devils have held meetings with Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and the Ajax manager over the vacant position. The Dutchman is the clear frontrunner for the position after 'positive talks' between both parties, as well as the straightforward process of triggering his release from the Amsterdam giants.
Ten Hag is reportedly 'super happy' about the prospect of taking over from Ralf Rangnick, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. Rangnick's verdict on Ten Hag is 'absolutely positive' as he recommended the 52-year-old to the Old Trafford board, helping with the process of appointing a new manager ahead of his new consultancy role in the summer.
During the meeting, Ten Hag was keen to know what United's plans are on the recruitment front. He was reportedly interested in learning about their overall budget in the upcoming window, which players they could potentially sign and how the club plan to back him.
Ten Hag already has a good idea of who he wants to bring to the club if he lands the job. The Dutchman has already lined up his first two signings with Brazilian winger Antony emerging as a potential target, while Jurrien Timber has been identified as the centre-half to immediately address United’s defensive issues.
Mirror Football's Simon Mullock revealed Ten Hag inserted a get-out clause in the deal he signed a year ago - and that it can be triggered for just €2m (£1.68m).
Gary Neville expects United to appoint the new boss sooner rather than later as he gave his verdict on Ten Hag following the 1-1 draw with Leicester.
“Look, because the interview process started, publicly, sort of seven to 10 days ago, I said you’ve got to conclude it quite quickly or else it becomes a bit of a mess,” Neville told Sky Sports.
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“There were reports earlier in the week that Ten Hag was awaiting details as to whether he was going to be offered a contract or not. I suspect after that performance today that we’ll see a PR spike whereby the manager might be named. I don’t know but, for me, it wouldn’t surprise me.
“You know, I’ve spoken in the last couple of weeks about a new manager coming in and everything thinking, ‘It’s all okay, we’ll go again.’"
Pochettino is also in the frame for the vacant job, but it will cost Paris Saint-Germain around £17m to axe the former Tottenham boss and his staff. But Romano claims United do not see that as an issue during negotiations for the Argentine and it's solely down to United if they want to pursue the PSG manager.
