Man Utd's latest five-man manager shortlist as Brendan Rodgers drops out

Brendan Rodgers has dropped out of the running to become the next Manchester United manager following Leicester's recent slump in form.

The Foxes haven't won a Premier League game since December and are currently 11th in the table, hampering Rodgers' chances of bagging the Old Trafford job.

The former Liverpool manager has endured terrible luck this season, losing the likes of Jonny Evans, Jamie Vardy and Wesley Fofana to long-term injuries.

Despite this, it's believed United's hierarchy are no longer considering Rodgers for the vacant job and have drawn-up a new five-man shortlist.

It's thought to include Paris Saint-Germain's Mauricio Pochettino, Ajax's Erik ten Hag, Spain's Luis Enrique, Inter Milan's Simeone Inzaghi and Bayern Munich's Julian Nagelsmann.

As reported by ESPN, no manager is currently regarded as the favourite to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who will start a two-year consultancy gig in the summer.

United are reportedly undertaking a "comprehensive" analysis of each candidate - including their playing style and the players they would need to achieve success.

United's owners - the Glazers - are determined to appoint the right man after a string of poor managerial choices since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in May 2013.

The Red Devils have won just three major honours since - the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup - and none of these victories have come within the last five seasons.

The Glazers have appointed David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick since Ferguson's exit.

They've also spent more than £1billion on transfers and have the highest wage bill in the Premier League.

Pochettino, Ten Hag and Enrique are thought to be the most likely appointments, yet United will complete their research on Inzaghi and Nagelsmann.

As all five managers in question are currently under contract with rival clubs, the Manchester outfit may need to pay a compensation fee.

Derby County boss Wayne Rooney - who is not interested in succeeding Rangnick - has urged United to appoint a "long-term" manager.

"They're obviously going through a difficult period," said Rooney earlier this month.

"In my opinion, what they need - whether it's Rangnick or whether it's a new manager at the end of the season - is someone to go in and have time. Have time to build a squad.

"I think the next three years certainly is going to be very difficult to win the Premier League.

"They need to give someone that time to build a squad and then really challenge for the big prizes, which a club like Man Utd needs to be doing."

Paul Merson, meanwhile, believes Pochettino is not the right man for the United job.

"You've got to remember he failed to win the French league last year, too," said Merson earlier this month. "That's virtually impossible to do.

"Everybody keeps saying they need to go out and get Pochettino but I don't understand why. It does my head in. It's all I ever hear.

"What did he do? He got Tottenham to the final of the Champions League and his side finished third [and second] one year in the Premier League."