DUTCHMAN GETS TOP JOB

FROM BACK PAGE been reached on a contract and potential summer targets.

Ten Hag has risen to the top of what was a four-man shortlist, seeing off fierce competition from Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino, Spain coach Luis Enrique and Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui.

Pochettino has his supporters among United’s hierarchy but he has seen his reputation dented by another Champions League failure despite huge resources this season.

In addition, PSG have threatened to play hardball demanding £15million to release him from his contract. With Lopetegui distancing himself from a move and Enrique overseeing Spain’s World

Cup bid and reluctant to move until December, Ten Hag has been deemed the best option.

Yet United sources denied the Dutch manager, who was the favourite of chief executive Richard Arnold and owner Joel Glazer, has been appointed with any regard to cost.

Ajax bosses enjoy a good relationship with United and are keen not to stand in the way of a move for Ten Hag, with a release fee of around £1.7million undoubtedly a positive.

Ten Hag will replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season, with the German set to move upstairs to a director of football role. And the incoming manager has already told United not only that he believes the squad need to be much fitter to compete at the highest level but provided a list of transfer targets.

Ten Hag has yet to decide on his backroom staff, with Robin van Persie, Jaap Stam and current assistant Mitchell van der Gaag all under consideration to join him in his new job.

Former first-team coach Rene Meulensteen, who worked with Alex Ferguson between 2007-13, is another who could be in line for a return to Old Trafford and a spot on the bench behind Ten Hag.

Meanwhile, unhappy United players who want to leave this summer have been told they will be unable to go – unless they are out of contract.