Bayern Munich step up Erik ten Hag chase as he makes Old Trafford feelings clear

Erik ten Hag could get his wish to manage super-striker Harry Kane after all – with Bayern Munich hot on the Dutchman’s heels.

Despite his troubles at Old Trafford after a season disrupted by damaging injuries, disciplinary issues with top stars and a huge behind-the scenes shake up following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover, Ten Hag is still a wanted man.

Ten Hag admitted last week that Kane was Manchester United ’s number one target last summer. But with Munich bosses looking to replace outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel and Ten Hag on their hit-list the Dutchman may soon be working with England star Kane.

The German giants have failed to seal deals for Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, national boss Julien Nagelsmann and former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick. And they have baulked at paying a £12 million release clause to take Roberto De Zerbi from Brighton.

Now Ten Hag is high on their wish list - and viewed as a serious candidate having managed the Bayern B team between 2013-15 during Pep Guardiola ’s reign at the club. The Dutchman ticks plenty of boxes for Bayern. He’s a fluent German speaker, knows the club philosophy and is admired by powerful director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, honorary president Uli Hoeness and incoming sporting director Max Eberl.

The trio have been impressed the way ten Hag has integrated young stars Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and striker Rasmus Hojlund into a United side largely in turmoil all season. The Dutchman and his advisors, however, are still in the dark over his future at Old Trafford.

They are dismayed by a lack of public support from Ratcliffe who hasn’t acted to end constant speculation that he’ll sack Ten Hag after the FA Cup Final against Manchester City later this month. If United are planning to ditch him, a move to Munich would be a dream scenario.

Speaking before they faced Bayern in the Champions League group stage earlier this season Ten Hag said: “I really enjoyed it there and my time in Munich was enormously valuable. I think a few people in the Netherlands were shocked when I signed as a reserve team coach for Bayern.

“I left a decent job in the Eredivisie for a job in the regional liga in Germany. But I never regretted it. Working with great people there, including Pep Guardiola and Matthias Sammer was like winning the lottery.’’

It would cost Ratcliffe a hefty £20 million to pay off Ten Hag and his backroom staff if United want a new manager. That may be too rich at a time when the club are slashing costs.

But if Ten Hag doesn’t get the players he wants in the summer - after already missing out on Kane, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and defender Jurrien Timber who joined Arsenal - the Dutchman may even call time himself on his United job.

Ajax are keen to take him back after sacking Maurice Steijn in October and replacing him with interim coach John van’t Schip. Graham Potter is also on Ajax’s radar with the former Chelsea and Brighton boss also being eyed by Feyenoord who are losing Arne Slot to Liverpool.