Manchester United have interviewed a mystery third candidate for the vacant manager’s job, The Telegraph report.
In addition to already conducted interviews with Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino, the newspaper claims the club have spoken with ‘at least one other candidate’.
It is claimed this potential boss is NOT either Luis Enrique or Julien Lopetegui, who Sky Sports reported had former United’s four man shortlist with Pochettino and Ten Hag.
Thomas Tuchel’s name is mentioned in The Telegraph‘s report, but he is not thought to be the mystery candidate, as it would be too difficult to lure him away from Chelsea.
The involvement of the mystery third manager is not expected to be a game changer. Erik ten Hag is the favourite and Mauricio Pochettino a close second.
United are planning ‘a final round of interviews’, indicating the club have not yet firmly made up their mind who they want in charge.
Ten Hag was warned off the job by former United manager Louis van Gaal this week, who told him to choose ‘a football club’ as opposed to a commercial club.
United probably did not help their cause there by announcing a money-spinning pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia yesterday.
Dutch journalist Mikos Gouka told AD.nl this week he still believes Ten Hag will choose United despite Van Gaal’s warning.
United’s big decision
The decision over the club’s new boss is an immediate test for new chief executive Richard Arnold.
He wants to be seen to be conducting a thorough process for the new manager, which may have been dealt a bit of a blow with Enrique and Lopetegui ruling themselves out of contention.
It’s possible the third candidate interviewed for the role was none other than interim manager Ralf Rangnick, if for no other reason than to compare him with Ten Hag and Pochettino.
Rangnick is expected to move upwards as a ‘consultant’ when his interim role at the club expires in May. There is little to no fanfare or momentum among fans for the German to get the job on a permanent basis.
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