Report: McClaren set to join Ten Hag's coaching staff at United

Manchester United are close to hiring Steve McClaren to join new manager Erik ten Hag's backroom staff at Old Trafford, according to ESPN's Rob Dawson.

Ten Hag was part of McClaren's coaching team during the Englishman's first stint in charge of FC Twente. Assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag is already following Ten Hag from Ajax to United at the end of the season.

Ten Hag has also considered former Red Devils striker Robin van Persie - who currently coaches under Arne Slot at Feyenoord - Rene Meulensteen, and Michael Appleton as additions to his staff. The Dutch tactician is reportedly keen for someone with links to United to join him at the club.

McClaren, 61, assisted Sir Alex Ferguson at United between 1999 and 2001 before overseeing Middlesbrough for five years. After guiding Boro to a League Cup triumph and the UEFA Cup final, a spell with England ended in disaster when he failed to earn qualification to Euro 2008. He's since taken the reins at Twente, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Twente (again), Derby County, Newcastle United, Derby (again), and Queens Park Rangers.

McClaren apparently attended a meeting between Ten Hag and United officials in Amsterdam on Thursday. The talks included transfer targets for the upcoming summer window, with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong included in those discussions.