Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly no longer the clear favourite to become Manchester United's new head coach at the end of the campaign.
The Red Devils will appoint a permanent manager this summer, with interim head coach Ralf Rangnick set to step aside to take on a two-year consultancy role at Old Trafford.
Pochettino has long been considered as the favourite for the position, but according to The Guardian, Ajax's Erik ten Hag is now firmly alongside the Argentine in the pecking order.
The report claims that Man United have 'increased their admiration' for the 52-year-old due to Ajax's impressive 2021-22 campaign to date.
Ten Hag has won two league titles and two Dutch Cups during his time in Amsterdam, while the club are currently two points clear of second-placed PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie table.
The 35-time Dutch champions are also still in the Champions League, drawing 2-2 with Benfica in the first leg of their last-16 contest in Portugal on February 23.
Ten Hag, who is believed to be taking English lessons amid the speculation linking him with a move to Man United, has a contract with his current side until June 2023.