Manchester United have not hidden their intention to hire a permanent manager to take over from their interim boss Ralf Rangnick after the previous sack of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,

Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag has remained one of the handful of names linked to the top job at Old Trafford despite the club’s insistence that there is no preferred candidate for the role with Mauricio Pochettino also believed to be enjoying consideration for the post.

National Daily meanwhile understands that United have gone a step further to informally gather information around Erik ten Hag, such as what compensation figure Ajax would be expecting, following his interview for their permanent managerial vacancy. 

It was previously learnt by National Daily that United had held official talks with the 52-year-old last week which were billed as “very positive”, and that a process of due diligence has followed over what it would entail should they choose to hire him as further gathered from Sky Sports News.

It is believed that Ajax granted permission for the formal discussion to take place and have not been obstructive to the process.

Sources close to Ten Hag and the Dutch club have suggested that dialogue has taken place over the financial element as well as how to handle a possible announcement – should the process progress that way – in terms of timing and presentation, given Ajax are in a tight title race.

Though, United have insisted that this is premature, and no formal enquiry has been put forward in that regard. They have made it very clear that they do not have a preferred candidate yet to take charge next season, and are simply following a rigorous process to settle on the right man.

Ascertaining compensation figures and ease of appointment will be done with all candidates. The club feels it is unfair to portray Ten Hag as the frontrunner for the position when they are still working through their shortlist.