Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Neville choice ‘waiting for call’ with current post a smokescreen to Man Utd ambitions

Brendan Rodgers, Mauricio Pochettino after Liverpool v Tottenham in the Premier League

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly eager for the chance to manage Manchester United despite committing his future to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The Argentine has long been linked with the Old Trafford hotseat after his stellar work with Southampton and Tottenham. Things ended on a sour note with the north Londoners as he was sacked in November 2019 after a poor start to the season. But that has not put off the former Argentina international defender from working in England.

He was linked with United after leaving Spurs but joined PSG in January 2021. The 49-year-old penned an 18-month deal at the Parc des Princes.

He was unable to win the French top-flight title during the remainder of last season. But he did guide the Parisians to the Coupe de France crown.

PSG are currently 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and look set to romp to the title. And that could be a fitting way for the South American to bring down the curtain on his time at the club.

He signed an extension to his deal last summer keeping him at the club until the end of 2022-2023. But The Sun suggest he is ‘awaiting the official call’ from United.

Ralf Rangnick is currently in temporary charge after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure. The German will step aside and move into an advisory role when the season ends.

And the race will then be on for the next permanent manager at the Theatre of Dreams. The report adds that the call to Pochettino will ‘almost certainly’ be made before the summer.

Ruben Neves wanted by Manchester United to replace Pogba

Ruben Neves wanted by Manchester United to replace Pogba

Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves is wanted by Manchester United to replace midfield options who will leave the club at the end of the season

And they believe the former Espanyol boss and his backroom team will accept the offer.

Neville backs Pochettino appointment

Several high-profile pundits have spoken about Pochettino managing United. They have struggled to find the right man since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Former United and England defender Gary Neville feels the Murphy-born tactician is the right fit.

“I think United will get the right manager at the end of the season for the longer term,” he told Sky Sports. “I’d like Pochettino to be the next manager because he’s got experience of the league, I think he would play the right type of football.

“It feels like the moment for him to step up. He’s managing big stars, characters and personalities.

Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United interim boss at St James' Park reacting to 1-1 Premier League draw

“I’ve always liked him and the way in which he has operated. I think he fits the club, he works with young players as well.”

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