Manchester United have reportedly shown an interest in appointing Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino as doubts continue to linger over Jose Mourinho.

The Old Trafford hierarchy are agonising over who is best equipped to replace beleaguered boss Louis van Gaal when the Dutchman inevitably leaves a year before schedule this summer.

Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, is known to be desperate to take over in Manchester and the Independent on Sunday revealed this week he is ‘confident’ of doing just that. But the Sun this morning report the Red Devils are considering the merits of approaching Pochettino, the Argentinian boss masterminding a title hunt at White Hart Lane.

The 43-year-old is enjoying a glowing career in the capital as he builds a side worthy of winning the Premier League on the foundation of youthful English talent. Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Erik Dier have all broken into the England set-up under Pochettino.

United see the Spurs boss as a less confrontational figure but the feeling among the board is that a statement must be made to counteract Manchester City’s capture of Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola.

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While Pochettino offers United with vitality and off-field calm, the same cannot be said for Mourinho who shares a frosty relationship with Guardiola. The Portuguese, however, is a free agent while Spurs are likely to claim millions in compensation if the Red Devils come knocking.