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Erik Ten Haag is getting closer to the confirmation of the new Manchester United manager as reported by Sky Sports. Sources from Ajax and the Dutchman's camp told Sky Sports News last week talks over compensation and how to handle a formal announcement had taken place, after he impressed in his interview.
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United denied having official discussions and called such an advanced reading of the situation "premature".
The club have stuck to that line, insisting no deal has been done with anyone. United's position is also that the process is still underway with multiple candidates, and they will not be providing running commentary on it.
Ten Hag has a year left on his Ajax contract but excellent relations between the clubs have made talks more straightforward and the Eredivisie club will not stand in his way.
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United's pursuit of a new manager has been led by football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher, who have reported to chief executive Richard Arnold, with joint-chairman Joel Glazer having the final decision on the appointment.
While some at United considered PSG boss Pochettino, sources have told ESPN, Arnold and Glazer are in agreement that Ten Hag is the best candidate to replace interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who has been in charge since December.
The choice for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's successor ultimately came down to a straight battle between Ten Hag and Pochettino, but the difficulties experienced by Pochettino at PSG this season, combined with the potential cost of releasing him from the remaining 12 months of his contract at Parc des Princes, left the former Tottenham manager behind Ten Hag for both football and financial reasons.
Sources added that Rene Meulensteen, first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson from 2007 to 2013, is one candidate being considered as Ten Hag's assistant. The recruitment department at the club have also been told to finalise shortlists on players in each position and present them to the new manager, though he will also be allowed to present his own targets.