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The common wisdom is that Manchester United is a bigger club than Tottenham Hotspur so it would be understandable if Mauricio Pochettino defected to Old Trafford.

Jamie Carragher, in his newspaper column, said so on Friday.

Following that logic, what if United approached Jurgen Klopp, another highly-acclaimed manager without a trophy in English football?

It could be easily argued that Manchester United is a bigger club than Liverpool.

Not as decorated in Europe but more successful domestically, 20 top flight titles and 12 FA Cups to Liverpool’s 18 and seven.

The figures say, without question, that United are a stronger commercial force than Liverpool and have a broader worldwide fanbase.

But Klopp, one assumes, would not dream of leaving Liverpool for United.

(Image: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty)

Indeed, when he was asked if he wanted to be considered as a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson in April, 2013, Klopp declined, citing a commitment to Borussia Dortmund for the following season.

Lovely, but rare, loyalty from a manger.

And now, three years in, Klopp has a thrilling Anfield project in progress that he would not, for a millisecond, consider abandoning.

Should Pochettino be any different?

Spurs are a wide margin in front of United in the Premier League and have recorded an emphatic win at Old Trafford.

If they win at Goodison Park, they will restore the deficit to Liverpool, who have made their best start to a season ever, to six points.

Tottenham have a better squad of players than United and their new stadium, when it eventually opens, will be fantastic.

Old Trafford is bigger in terms of capacity but, quite frankly, needs more than a lick of paint right now.

(Image: Getty)

Currently, United have the allure of being considered in that ultra-elite bracket of clubs. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, United and so on.

But things can change over time. There was an era when you would have had AC Milan in that category. I’m not sure you would right now.

Managing an institution such as Manchester United is clearly one of the greatest honours for a coach.

That, along with the financial largesse coming with it, is why it would be no surprise if Pochettino wanted to fill a role that has spat out its previous three occupants in the space of little over five years.

Manchester United has history and financial strength going for it but Spurs has potential. And better players.

The bottom line, of course, is that Pochettino will, no doubt, be tempted when United come calling.

Spurs, a bigger club, took Pochettino away from Southampton. United, a bigger club, might take Pochettino away from Spurs.

It would be a big blow for Tottenham if that happened but not the end of the world.

(Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

They have a collection of excellent players, a great fanbase and a state-of-the-art home to finally move into.

Should Pochettino move on, there are plenty of good managers out there. Look at the jobs being done by the likes of Eddie Howe and Chris Hughton.

Pochettino is doing a fine job at Spurs but as lucky as they are to have him, he is lucky to have them.

They seem a perfect match.

If he chooses to split that match and Spurs allow him to go without putting up a fight, one party is taking a mighty gamble.

And that party is Pochettino.