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Mauricio Pochettino hasn't given up hope of being Manchester United manager next season.

The former Spurs boss, still out of the game after being sacked by chairman Daniel Levy almost three months ago, is still hovering on United's radar.

But the only way United will ditch Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is if they have another shocking end to the season and finish outside the top six.

With no top level European football this season and United currently seventh in the Premier League six points off fourth placed Chelsea, the club's American owners are concerned about falling revenues.

Major backers like Adidas and shirt sponsor Chevrolet are believed to have Champions League clauses built into their contracts which reduce United's money if they don't make top four.

(Image: REUTERS)

And with the prospect of a second season without the Champions League United's owners are getting twitchy – and haven't ruled out moving for Pochettino who has been in Spain and his native Argentina since leaving Tottenham .

Pochettino has told friends he's re-charging his batteries and wants to resume his managerial career in the summer – preferably in the Premier League.

The 47-year-old South American is prepared to be patient – but is understood to be excited by the prospect of managing United at some stage.

That's a worry for Solskjaer for although executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is committed to supporting the Norwegian while United go through transition, the jury is still out on the 1999 Treble hero amongst many fans.

(Image: PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX)

A failure to challenge strongly for the top four in the remaining 13 League games of the season will make Solskjaer vulnerable.

And a repeat last season's run-in when they lost three and drew two of their final five League games would certainly spell the end of the Norwegian who has been hampered by key injuries and inconsistent form this season.