big move? Biggest indication yet that Manchester United want to hire Erik ten Hag as their next manager

Ajax coach Erik ten Hag as emerged as the strong favourite to take over as Manchester United manager and now it has emerged their efforts to recruit the Dutchman are evolving.

Sky Sports are suggesting that United officials are looking into how much compensation they will need to pay Ajax if they decide to offer Ten Hag the job at Old Trafford.

While Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino continues to be linked with the United job, Ten Hag is now the firm favouirte to take over after giving a strong hint that he is ready to take on a fresh challenge this summer.

United staged what were hailed as 'positive talks' with United earlier this month, but there still appeared to be hurdles to be overcome before he was identified as their leading candidate.

Now there are suggestions that United are closing in on a formal approach for Ten Hag, with Ajax believed to be open to allowing their head coach to leave.

United legend Gary Neville has suggested he would back the appointment of Ten Hag, even though he has expressed a preference for the club to appoint Pochettino as their next manager.

"I would like Pochettino to be the next manager. I think that he has got experience of the league, he would play the right type of football," stated Neville.

"It feels like the moment for him to step up. He's got to the Champions League final and is now managing big stars, some big characters and personalities. That will help him and I've always liked him. I have always loved the way that he has operated.

"He fits the club and he works well with young players. He gets the best out of players. He's a good coach. He also works with people the right way.

"But Ten Hag is the massive favourite of United fans to take the club forward."

United are expected to make a decision on their first choice coach in the next few weeks, with an appointment likely to be confirmed in June.