Manchester United have contacted former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino’s representatives as a possible replacement for current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Despite a generally positive end to last season during ‘Project Restart’, Solskjaer has overseen a terrible start to the 2020/21 campaign. United have won just two of their six Premier League games so far and sit 15th in the table, while Wednesday night’s Champions League defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir further highlighted existing concerns over tactical limitations.
Solskjaer is under increasing pressure at Old Trafford / Sean Bottrell / Getty Images
Pochettino has long been linked with the Old Trafford job and 90 Minutes revealed in early October that the lines of communication between the United hierarchy and the Argentine’s camp had never closed, with the club still keen to finally appoint him. .
90 Minutes now understands there has been fresh contact between United officials and Pochettino’s representatives.
Earlier reports had suggested that an ‘approach’ had been taken by the Old Trafford club, which was seen as a more formal step in the process, but Pochettino’s camp have played down such stories. have expressed that have emerged and otherwise refused to comment – respecting that already in place manager.
The Manchester Evening News reported that ahead of the loss in Istanbul, United’s hierarchy still privately support Solskjaer and are reluctant to sack him. But Saturday’s Premier League clash against Everton now provides a huge test for the Norwegian as the November international break looms and will be an opportunity to make a change.
Pochettino recently spoke about his return to management / Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images
Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs last November and was open to a return to Premier League management when he spoke about his future earlier this week.
“I’m not one to close the door and I’m waiting to feel which project is right for us, which is the right way to take it,” he explained during a guest pundit on Sky Sports.
“My energy is full. I would love to be in the game but at the same time I need to understand that you need to wait. [for the right moment]. You need to wait for the right plan and for sure football will come who wants football and we need to be open and accept or not.
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