Man Utd open talks with Pochettino over replacing Solskjaer

Manchester United have made contact with Mauricio Pochettino following the club’s dismal start to the Premier League season.

The Argentine was United’s first choice to replace Jose Mourinho in December 2018 but Solskjaer impressed so much during his interim time in charge that the club felt compelled to prolong his deal.

Pochettino was keen on joining United and his five-year stay at Tottenham came to an end last November, with many feeling results started to downturn after he was overlooked for the United job.

United have just three points from their opening three matches this term and Sunday’s humiliating 6-1 defeat was ironically inflicted by Jose Mourinho, who preceded Solskjaer and replaced Pochettino.

Solskjaer has a little over 18 months to run on his contract at Old Trafford and sacking the Norwegian would only cost in the region of £4m, which is paltry compared to the £18m that Mourinho received.

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Despite a strong finish to the previous campaign, a negative cloud hangs over United’s season and Solskjaer faces Chelsea, Arsenal, PSG and Everton in his next six matches.

Pochettino is yet to take a new job after his exit from Spurs and the Mirror claim contact has been made between United and the Argentine to sound him out over replacing Solskjaer.

Pochettino has received various job offers since leaving Tottenham but he’s waiting for the right opportunity and Sir Alex Ferguson is a well known admirer of the 48-year-old.

Unlike in previous years, there’s fewer doubts about the quality of United’s first XI and more worries about the lack of coaching that the squad are receiving.

Pochettino worked wonders at Spurs with a limited budget and United are one of the few super powers in Europe to operate without a Director of Football, which appeals to the Argentine.