Erik ten Hag's deal to be come Manchester United manager is expected to be on an initial three-year basis, with the club having the option to enforce an additional 12 months; United maintain a deal is not done

Manchester United’s appointment of Erik ten Hag as their next permanent manager is all but done with only a signing of the contract and straightforward agreement with Ajax remaining to complete the process.

The deal is expected to be on an initial three-year basis, with the club having the option to enforce an additional 12 months. Ten Hag was in pole position to land the job over Mauricio Pochettino, with sources close to the manager and Ajax revealing compensation - understood to be below £2m - and how to handle an announcement had already been discussed at this point.

United want to be sensitive to the Dutch side's showdown against PSV Eindhoven in the KNVB Cup final on April 17 and the fact they are in a tight title race.

Ajax do not want the speculation to drag on, however, as it is still proving to be a distraction. They have batted away requests from English journalists and have not been issuing access to press conferences to prevent questions on the manager's future.

United maintain that a deal is not done, but Sky Sports News ascertained last week that only the formalities were outstanding with all the major details agreed in principle.

The make-up of Ten Hag's coaching staff at Old Trafford still needs to be set in concrete, but neither party has concerns over that process.Ajax have been helpful rather than a hindrance in getting an agreement over the line, with the club invested in not blocking the advancement of their managers and players.