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Manchester United is reported to have approached Mauricio Pochettino with a view to having him replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their coach.
Solskjaer is under intense pressure following back-to-back defeats to Arsenal in the Premier League and Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League and is now leading the bookmaker’s sack race.
And according to the Manchester Evening News, United have contacted Pochettino’s representatives. It was previously reported that Pochettino is eager to lead United at some point and that stance is not believed to have changed.
The move comes despite United insiders backing Solskjaer privately ahead of Wednesday night’s loss and a reluctance within the club to fire him so early in the season.
Saturday’s visit to Everton has become crucial for Solskjaer as United could finish the weekend 17th in the Premier League table if they lose at Goodison Park.
An inconsistent start to the season follows that has included a 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Tottenham, but the Champions League wins over Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.
They are 15th in the Premier League table after having lost three of their first six games.
United insists Solskjaer still has their backing and no approach has been made for Pochettino to replace him.
Pochettino, a former Southampton and Tottenham manager, is the bookmaker’s favorite to be United’s next manager.
The trip to Everton is United’s last game before a two-week international break that has become synonymous with dismissal of managers.
Solskjaer dismissed speculation about his future after the loss in Istanbul, which saw terrible defense for Basaksehir’s first goal.
“I refuse to comment on such a thing,” Solskjaer said.
‘Of course it’s early and opinions are there all the time and you have to stay strong.
“I am employed by the club to do a job and I do the best I can with our staff.”
Pochettino has been on United’s management shortlists in the past and made it clear during an appearance on Sky’s Monday Night Football this week that he is ready for a new challenge.
“I am always willing to play the game again. I like football. It is my passion, not my job.
‘I’m looking forward to playing the game again, I love it. It’s hard; we are inside, we are working, we are doing things but it is not the same to get involved every day, share it with your players, your squad and your club. You miss that.
United would not have to pay Pochettino’s former club Tottenham any form of compensation as the deadline expired in May. The 48-year-old left Spurs after five and a half years last November to be replaced by former United manager José Mourinho.
Having also managed Southampton before that, Pochettino has extensive knowledge of English football.
He has not won any trophies during his time in England, although he did lead Tottenham to the final of the Champions League in 2019.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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