Mauricio Pochettino has sent out a reminder of the faith he and Tottenham Hotspur have placed in Eric Dier as Manchester United circle the England international.

United manager Jose Mourinho is prepared to guarantee Dier a role in his midfield if he can persuade Tottenham to sell the 23-year-old, who has played most of this season in defence at White Hart Lane.

Spurs insiders and sources close to Dier believe that stories emerging of United’s interest this week were aimed at turning the player’s head.

While there is no suggestion United will be successful in unsettling Dier, there is a sense that he prefers to play the holding midfield role, which he did with distinction for Spurs last season and still plays for England, than acting as a third central defender.

With summer signing Victor Wanyama performing well, Mousa Dembele established as one of Pochettino’s key men and the development of Harry Winks, there appears little prospect of Dier being moved back into the Tottenham midfield anytime soon.

Pochettino dismissed questions over United’s interest in Dier and whether or not the player is happy at Tottenham as “speculation”, but was more forthcoming on his development at the club.