No Pochettino Or Ten Hag: PL Manager Has Become Man United’s No 1 Target

Man United prefer to appoint Thomas Tuchel as their permanent manager ahead of Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag.

Pochettino and Ten Hag were understood to be the leading contenders for the Old Trafford job until last week. However, the uncertainty at Stamford Bridge following the sanctions placed on Chelsea has brought Tuchel into the picture.

According to the Daily Star, United chief executive Richard Arnold would like to hire Tuchel before the end of the season if possible. United believe they can lure the German tactician away from Chelsea.

On Tuesday, United’s exited from the Champions League following a 1-0 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid. They’ve progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition just twice in the last 10 years, and could certainly do with someone of Tuchel’s calibre.

The 48-year-old’s record in the competition is impeccable. He reached the Champions League final in 2020 with PSG, and won the Europe’s premier trophy the season after with Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Pochettino’s future in the French capital is being assessed after PSG lost 3-1 to Real Madrid to crash out of the round of 16. Ten Hag’s Ajax also shockingly lost 1-0 at home to Benfica.

No managerial appointment will guarantee success, but brigning in Tuchel will give United the best chance of challenging Pep Guardiola’s Man City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.