Manchester United’s search for a new permanent manager is well and truly on. Ed Woodward and the Old Trafford board simply have to get this hire right.

Over the last 24 hours, Mauricio Pochettino’s name has emerged as the true number one contender. However, rising him away from Paris Saint-Germain in the middle of a season will not be easy.

If that’s the case, United may well look to hire someone in the short-term – perhaps until the end of the season. Enter, Ralf Rangnick.

According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, the 63-year-old is a ‘live contender’ to get the United job on an interim basis – while waiting until the summer for Mauricio Pochettino.

Check out what Alex Crook had to say here:

“The name on most people’s lips is still Mauricio Pochettino – we know he’s very much the man Man United have set their sights on.”

“But in terms of an interim, interim manager, if they can’t get Pochettino out of Paris this side of the summer then maybe Ralf Rangnick could be a live contender, that’s what I’ve been hearing here.”

Rangnick is currently Head of Sports and Development at Russian club FC Lokomotiv Moscow, so you’d imagine the lure of arguably the biggest job in football would be too good to turn down should it be offered.

The German also boasts a pretty decent CV, managing Schalke 04, RB Leipzig and some other Bundesliga sides.

He’s a no-nonsense manager who leaves a positive impression on every side he’s been at – so there is very little risk involved in hiring Rangnick on an interim basis.

You’d also imagine that, should Rangnick do well, United would have no qualms in handing the German the job on a long-term basis.

My opinion is this; United should go all-out for Mauricio Pochettino. If that’s not an option until the summer, then go and get Rangnick for six months as a way of steadying the ship, before moving for Poch next summer.

Would an interim move for Ralf Rangnick make sense? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.