MANCHESTER UNITED face the prospect of losing out to rivals Man City in the race to sign Mauricio Pochettino – with the ex-Tottenham boss in pole position to replace Pep Guardiola.
City have been banned from all Uefa competitions for two years after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
That has in turn led to questions over whether Guardiola would be willing to stay on as manager past the end of this season.
And should the Spaniard decide the time is right to quit, with the chance to take over at Juventus already in front of him, then City would have to find a successor quickly.
Pochettino is one coach who would fit the profile of a new man in charge, and SunSport revealed in December that the City job is one he would be interested in taking.
Manchester rivals United have always had the former Tottenham boss as an option to turn to should they decide to part company with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at any time.
But those plans would be threatened should City suddenly enter the market, depending on Guardiola’s decision over his future.
Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham in November- replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid had been thought to be pursuing the Argentine, along with Man Utd.
But Poch’s heart lies with Man City – even if the reigning Premier League champions lose a host of top talent amidst their Champions League ban.
