Luis Enrique should not be ruled out of the running for the soon-to-be vacant Manchester United managerial position despite recent reports tipping Ajax boss Erik ten Hag for the role.
Those close to the club have reportedly claimed the Spain national team manager has many admirers within the United boardroom and is viewed as a potential candidate due to the fact it would not cost as much to pry him away from his current post in charge of La Roja. Prior to his current role in international football, Enrique took charge of FC Barcelona during a hugely successful period for the club.
Under Enrique's watch, the Blaugrana won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey's and the 2015 Champions League. For the past few weeks, the Spaniard has been viewed as a back-up option while the Red Devils pursue the likes of Ten Hag or Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.
However, according to the Daily Mail, club sources state Enrique is very much in the running, though the fact the World Cup is just under eight months away could be another obstacle in their efforts to get the 51-year-old.
United are currently being spearheaded by Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis, though the German is not expected to remain at the helm beyond the end of the campaign. Instead, the former RB Leipzig boss will begin a two-year consultancy role within the United boardroom.
Ten Hag has recently emerged as the favourite for the role as those overseeing the appointment process are impressed by the Dutchman's blueprint plans for rebuilding United. While others have admitted they would require a number of transfers, Ten Hag is thought to have said his first task would be to change the playing style.
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Ten Hag is rumoured to have been interviewed by United officials earlier last week, but that has not sealed his appointment as other options are also currently being explored.
Pochettino's chances of a return to the Premier League may have been dented by a drastic slump in PSG's form at a pivotal time, with the Parisian outfit eliminated from the Champions League at the round of 16 stage following a capitulation against Real Madrid that saw them blow a two-goal advantage.
That result was swiftly followed by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of fellow Ligue 1 side Monaco to seal a two-week period that will not have reflected well on Pochettino in the eyes of those at the top of the United hierarchy.
