Word stemming from the media late on Thursday evening points towards a clear frontrunner having emerged in the Manchester United managerial sweepstakes.
The tactician in question? Erik ten Hag.
Recent weeks have of course seen the name of Dutchman Ten Hag take centre stage in the chatter surrounding fallen giants United.
This comes with the Old Trafford brass, amid their ongoing search for a summer replacement for Ralf Rangnick, understood to have earmarked Ajax's beloved boss as a chief target.
Alongside Paris Saint-Germain headmaster Mauricio Pochettino, Ten Hag has long been the manager most persistently tipped for the post, owing to another fine campaign in Amsterdam to date.
The club's fanbase, meanwhile, have already made clear their backing for the 52-year-old, ahead of an absolutely crucial decision when it comes to not only United's immediate future, but long-term prospects, too.
And, as alluded to above, if the latest word stemming from the media is anything to go by, then those hopeful of Ten Hag being chosen as the man to lead a new era on the red half of Manchester could well soon have their wishes granted.
This comes amid fresh claims surrounding the Dutchman on Thursday night.
As per a report from the reliable Jason Burt of The Telegraph, Ten Hag has emerged as 'the clear favourite' to take up the reins at United ahead of next season.
A final round of interviews for the position, in turn, are now viewed as imminent.
Rivals keen
Should the Red Devils have genuine hopes of bringing in Ten Hag over the months ahead, though, they will need to act quickly.
This comes with another pair of major clubs, including one of Man United's Premier League rivals, also understood to be expressing a keen interest in Ajax's boss ahead of the summer:
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