PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino has been blindsided by Manchester United's decision to appoint Erik ten Hag as new manager.

Pochettino had been going head-to-head with the Ajax coach for the job.

The Athletic reports Pochettino appears to have been caught totally by surprise that Ten Hag had become the favoured candidate.

The Argentine is said to have been 'properly gathering' information about Manchester as a city, the structure of United and profiles of the squad.

But at 'no point' did United make direct contact with Paris Saint-Germain in order to discuss removing him from his contract.

The Red Devils had instead planned to inform Pochettino directly of their decision to appoint Ten Hag before the announcement came.