Mauricio Pochettino was tipped to take over at Manchester United before the Red Devils hired Jose Mourinho in 2016 and he’s been linked with a move to Old Trafford ever since.
When Mourinho was sacked in December 2018, Pochettino was leading the list of names to replace the 56-year-old. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given the job on a temporary basis, however.
The Evening Standard believe United will pay £34m to agree a deal for Pochettino this summer when Solskjaer’s contract expires, but it’s unlikely they’ll overlook the popular Norwegian given how well they’ve done with him at the helm.
Since Solskjaer re-joined his former club from Molde on a short-term contract, United have won 11 and drawn one of 13 games in all competitions. They’re fourth in the Premier League table, in the Champions League last-16 and recently won at Chelsea to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
With the 45-year-old enjoying a dream start to life in charge, it’s hard to see United overlooking him for the permanent job this summer. Pochettino may be their No.1 choice, but the club won’t defy the will of its supporters given how divisive an appointment Mourinho was.