Erik ten Hag to Manchester United: Ajax make intriguing admission about United next manager news

Ajax technical director Gerry Hamstra has implied the club will do everything they can to keep Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam amid interest from Manchester United.

According to The Athletic last week, United had reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Ten Hag for him to be their next manager, with an announcement of the deal ‘expected’ after Ajax’s Dutch Cup final with PSV on Sunday.

Ten Hag’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat to PSV in the final of the competition, leaving the Eredivisie now the only piece of silverware up for grabs.

Ajax sit top of the Dutch top flight, four points ahead of PSV, with five games remaining.

However, despite The Athletic’s report, Hamstra has indicated Ten Hag could remain in charge of Ajax next season.

“We have done everything we can and are doing everything we can to keep him on board,” Hamstra told ESPN following their loss to PSV.

“Contract extension offered? Yes. More money? Everything that comes with it, without going into detail.

“Erik can ultimately determine his own future. He is old and wise enough for that. We have two scenarios: we really hope he stays; it makes sense that there is interest in him. If he doesn’t stay, we have to be ready for the second scenario.”

Ten Hag is the bookies favourite to take over at Old Trafford this summer, replacing Old Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked in November and replaced by Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis.

The former was appointed as Ajax boss in 2017 and has one year remaining on his contract with the club.

During his tenure in Amsterdam he has won two league titles and two Dutch Cups, while also leading them to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.

United, who will go a fifth season without silverware come the end of this campaign, are battling to secure a top four finish.

The Red Devils currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind Tottenham Hotspur, with six games remaining.