McClaren talks point to United comeback

NEW Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag held a planning meeting in Amsterdam yesterday and summoned Steve McClaren to join the talks. As the Dutchman’s reign at Old Trafford began in earnest, the former England manager’s involvement in the discussions represents a major indication that he is closing in on a return to United. After watching Ajax be crowned Eredivisie champions on Wednesday night, Ten Hag has wasted no time in planning for his new role next season. The 52-year-old led a strategy meeting that included his long-term assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and a member of staff from United’s recruitment team, understood to be football director John Murtough. But the inclusion of McClaren, 61, provides a major clue that Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No 2, who had Ten Hag as assistant when he managed FC Twente in 2008-09, will be part of United’s new-look backroom team.