Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel not in serious contention for Man Utd job

Thomas Tuchel is not a serious contender for the role of Manchester United manager at this stage, with Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino still the main candidates, 90min understands.

Chelsea manager Tuchel's name has been thrust to the fore in relation to United's managerial role over the last week, amid suggestions that recent sanctions imposed on the European champions could lead to the German considering his position.

While United are alert to Tuchel's current situation and keen to see how it progresses, sources have indicated to 90min that Chelsea are 'not overly concerned' about losing him. Chelsea trust that the situation around the ownership of the club will be resolved in due course and that Tuchel will end up staying put.

His current contract, which runs until 2024, and displayed loyalty to Chelsea would make Tuchel very difficult to prise away, while it's also worth noting that Chelsea's continued involvement in the Champions League and FA Cup would make Tuchel almost impossible to extract before the end of the season in even the most favourable scenario for United.

This would cause issue to United, who are looking to decide on the identity of the next manager in the coming weeks to plan for what is likely to be a seismic summer of change.

United intend to put foundations in place with a new manager known, internally at the very least, to hit the ground running as soon as possible following the end of their Premier League campaign on May 22. They have been eliminated from all other competitions.

Ten Hag and Pochettino fit the bill for a quicker transition. Neither have Champions League commitments with their clubs following elimination at the last 16 stage over the last 10 days - the same stage at which Ralf Rangnick's United fell to Atletico Madrid - while both will see their domestic commitments end in May.

Pochettino's PSG are 15 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and should have the league wrapped up in the coming weeks, barring a monumental collapse, while Ten Hag's season with Ajax is set to finish a week before United's campaign concludes. Ajax sit two points clear of rivals PSV in the Eredivisie.

90min revealed the club's thinking on Ten Hag earlier this month, and the Dutchman holds the slight edge in the running as it stands due to backing from the likes of Rangnick and John Murtough.

The new manager, regardless of identity, will be key to the decisions made on the futures of a number of players - both in the current squad and on the club's list of transfer targets.

90min revealed earlier this month that lack of clarity over the manager could scupper their chances of signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger unless addressed quickly, and the club will find it difficult to press ahead with player negotiations without the identity of the next manager being known.

Paul Pogba is one current player out of contract at the end of June, and 90min understands the French midfielder would like to know the identity of the next manager before making a definitive decision over whether he extends his deal or leaves for a new challenge.

Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani are among other players out of contract, while there is interest from other clubs in the likes of Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo - who are uncertain about their own club futures.