Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement in principle with Erik ten Hag to become their next permanent manager, according to a report from the Athletic.
Ajax are reportedly aware of the situation and still need to reach a deal with United. The Old Trafford club will also need to finalise details and documentation, while there will be no written agreement or announcement until after Ajax face PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Cup final on April 17.
It's believed that United wants to be respectful to Ajax and Ten Hag as they have a cup final to play and are still seeking to be champions of the Eredivisie. The report added that United and Ten Hag's representatives SEG declined to comment on the matter.
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The agreement is now in place just a week before arguably United and Arsenal's biggest couple of games of the Premier League season as the pair try to keep in touch with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Champions League football. After a bout with relegation bound Norwich on Saturday, the Red Devils face Liverpool and then the Gunners on Tuesday, 19 and 23 April, respectively.
Meanwhile, Arsenal - who have lost their control of the race following back-to-back Premier League defeats - travel to Southampton on Saturday before playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 20. The Gunners then host United at the Emirates three days later.
News of Ten Hag's seemingly imminent appointment may or may not inspire United before the end of the season. Still, the clarity can only be a good thing for the club moving forward. It will be a major warning to their rivals that they don't intend to stay in mediocrity for much longer.
