Erik ten Hag is pushing Manchester United to bring Steve McClaren back to Old Trafford as part of his new coaching team.
Ten Hag was confirmed as United's manager on Wednesday on £9million a year until June 2025, and is set to be joined by his Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag when he starts this summer.
However, the 52-year-old wants Sir Alex Ferguson's former No 2 McClaren on board as well, so he has someone with experience of not only the Premier League but United as well.
Ten Hag, who was McClaren's No 2 at Twente as the former England manager rebuilt his damaged reputation in Holland, is said to be adamant that the 60-year-old comes in.
United denied suggestions that they are resisting Ten Hag's request, but want him to assess the existing options at the club before making a final decision on McClaren.
The current set-up includes another former Ferguson No 2, Mike Phelan, as well as Chris Armas, who was brought in by interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
United are said to see it as a point of discussion with Ten Hag that will unfold over time and say no decision is imminent.
McClaren has been out of the game since stepping down as Derby's technical director in September, when the Championship club went into administration.
He has also managed Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Derby, Middlesbrough and QPR, having achieved huge success as Ferguson's assistant when United won the treble in 1999.
Those days seem like a distant memory and United have turned to Ten Hag to try to restore the club to their former glory.
The Dutchman has doubled his salary at Ajax by signing a three-year deal worth close to £30million, with the option on the club's side of an additional 12 months.
Additional incentives have been built in based on United's success. Van der Gaag is still in discussions over his deal.
Ten Hag replaces Rangnick at the end of the season, having beaten Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino to the job.
He said: 'It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge.
'I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.'
United's football director John Murtough, who led the search for the new manager with technical director Darren Fletcher, said: 'At Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team's attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.
'In our conversations with Erik, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that.'