Sven remains Man Utd target

Eriksson is believed to head Man Utd's wanted list

Manchester United are set to confirm their interest in England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson at the club's annual general meeting, according to the Daily Express.

The newspaper has claimed that United shareholders will be told on Thursday that Eriksson heads the shortlist of candidates to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson.

Speculation linking Eriksson with the Old Trafford hot-seat emerged at the weekend, amid suggestions he is missing the day-to-day involvement of club football.

It's an honour to be linked with the job at such a famous club as Manchester United

Sven-Goran Eriksson

But so far the Premiership champions have not confirmed the rumours nor have they made contact with Eriksson.

The England coach confessed on Wednesday that it was "an honour" to be considered for the manager's post at United, which will become available at the end of the season.

When asked about his future by Swedish newspaper Sportbladet, he said: "It's an honour to be linked with the job at such a famous club as Manchester United.

"But to be honest, no-one from the club has talked to me or asked me about that."

The FA are determined to hang on to Eriksson, who has been a major success since succeeding Kevin Keegan, guiding England to automatic World Cup qualification.

"If Sven should win it (the World Cup) then I would merely ask him to do it again in 2006," said FA chief executive Adam Crozier.

But United are equally desperate to bring in a new manager who has already experienced success in Europe at the highest level.

Eriksson won the Serie A title in Italy with Lazio and twice won the Portuguese championship with Benfica.

Wenger not wanted by United fans

At the meeting, supporters are expected to plead with the club not to appoint Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as Ferguson's successor.

Wenger is allegedly on the shortlist drawn up by the board and has yet to sign a new contract at Highbury.

Roma's Fabio Capello, Ottmar Hitzfeld of Bayern Munich and Celtic boss Martin O'Neill are thought to be the other candidates being considered by the board for the post.

United's long-serving plc chairman Sir Roland Smith will step down at Thursday's AGM with Roy Gardner, a non-executive director on the plc board since December 1999, taking over the role.