Manchester United's chief decision-makers are certain Mauricio Pochettino or Erik ten Hag will be installed as the Red Devils' new boss in the summer and see no reason to bring other candidates into the mix, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Ralf Rangnick was appointed as the 20-time top flight title winners' interim manager last November, but he will leave the dugout at the end of the season to take up a two-year consultancy role at Old Trafford.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United will have to convince Pochettino he is their number one choice before the Argentinian would consider heading back to the Premier League.

The report suggests the current Paris Saint-Germain chief will hesitate in agreeing to head to the red half of Manchester unless he feels wanted.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports have revealed Ajax boss ten Hag has been 'sounded out' through intermediaries by the Red Devils.

The article claims ten Hag would be very keen to speak to the Manchester United hierarchy if a formal approach is made.

It appears whoever takes charge at Old Trafford will be forced to contend with a frustrated dressing room as technical director Darren Fletcher has reportedly taken on the role of mediator amid growing tensions between Rangnick and the players at Carrington.

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What has Dean Jones said about the situation?

Jones understands Pochettino and ten Hag are the only current candidates to replace Rangnick in the Manchester United dugout ahead of next season.

The transfer insider believes the Red Devils' key decision-makers do not envisage any other contenders entering the race for the job.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "It's Pochettino or ten Hag. They don't see any reason, at this point, why it's going to end up as anyone else either."

Who would be the better option for Man United?

Pochettino boasts plenty of Premier League experience, having previously been in charge of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Although he did not get his hands on any silverware on English shores, the 50-year-old has won two trophies since heading to PSG.

Pochettino is also on the brink of being sacked by his current employers after PSG were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid earlier this week, meaning Manchester United would not have to pay a compensation fee.

That would seemingly make Pochettino a more attractive option for the Red Devils, although ten Hag has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in charge of Dutch giants Ajax.