MANCHESTER UNITED could move for Mauricio Pochettino NEXT MONTH if PSG are knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.
The former Spurs coach was dealt a blow on Monday night as he watched his side go out of the Coupe de France following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Nice.
The loss has brought more pressure on Pochettino – despite PSG sitting 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
According to Telefoot journalist Julien Maynard, the Argentine coach’s future could well rest on their Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid.
PSG host the Spanish giants on February 15 before the return fixture at the Bernabeu on March 9.
And if Poch’s team come up short over the two legs then he may well be replaced by Zinedine Zidane.
That would leave Pochettino an incredibly sought-after free agent.
Last week it was reported that Man Utd’s search for a permanent manager had been put on hold as the board are impressed by interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
While performances may not have thrilled, Old Trafford chiefs have noted how he steadied the ship against a troubled backdrop.
The board are interested to see what he can achieve between now and the end of the season.
A top-four spot and qualification for next season’s Champions League will go a long way to securing him the United job on a permanent basis for the next two years.
But Poch becoming available could change those plans.
He already has experience in the Premier League with Southampton and Tottenham.
And he also has pedigree in Europe having taken Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019.
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Man Utd back in November, Pochettino was linked with the vacancy.
To which he responded: “I am very focused on football. I am not a kid, I’m not a child, I spent my whole life playing football and now 12 years being a coach, we are in a business and the rumours are there.
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“I completely understand what is going on — sometimes it is a positive or sometimes negative, but this kind of thing cannot distract me.
“What another club is doing not my business and I am not going to make the mistake to talk. Things get misunderstood and out of context.
“Rumours, we live with that. We are focused and trying to give 100% for the club and players to help their performances.”
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