Manchester United reportedly want to appoint Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel as their new manager before the end of the season.
The 48-year-old's future at Stamford Bridge has been called into question following the sanctions against club owner Roman Abramovich, but he has rubbished talk of an exit from the European champions.
There is thought to be optimism about an imminent change in ownership at the West London club, but Man United are supposedly keeping a close eye on the situation amid their manager search.
According to the Daily Star, Tuchel has now emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils want to welcome the German to the club before the end of the season.
The report adds that Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag's recent Champions League eliminations with Paris Saint-Germain and Ajax respectively have seen Tuchel move up the list, and there is "genuine hope" that Man United can convince the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach to take over from Ralf Rangnick.
Tuchel is under contract at Chelsea until 2024 and broke a Champions League record with his side's 2-1 last-16 second leg victory against Lille on Wednesday night.
Ben Knapton
