Manchester United are set to name German coach Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season, following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.

Solskjaer was relieved of his duties following a humiliating 4-1 defeat away to lowly Watford and it emerged that the club planned to make a short-term appointment before naming a permanent boss at the end of the season.

Rangnick – who has managed Schalke, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga – is set to leave his role as Lokomotiv Moscow’s head of sports and development to take on the job.

According to The Athletic, the 63-year-old will sign a six-month contract at Old Trafford before acting as a consultant for the club for a further two years.

While Man Utd have an understanding with Rangnick himself, the agreement will depend on Lokomotiv releasing him from his contract in the Russian capital, although that is not expected to be an issue.

Rangnick won’t be on the touchline as the Red Devils face Premier League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as he waits on a work permit.

United had been heavily linked with an unlikely mid-season move for Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino this week, and the Argentine has done little to distance himself from the speculation. However, it seems the club’s hierarchy have decided to wait to make their move for the former Spurs boss.