Manchester United are becoming ‘increasingly confident’ of landing Mauricio Pochettino as their next permanent boss, according to the Mirror.

The club appointed Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis until the end of the season following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but Rangnick will step into an advisory role come May, leaving United in search of their sixth manager (excluding caretakers) since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Pochettino has been sounded out as a potential long-term Manchester United manager for several years, since his time at Tottenham Hotspur, but has never been officially approached by the club. This was either due to circumstance (the arrival of Solskjaer) or timing (sacking managers mid-season). Now, however, may prove the perfect time.

And according to the report, ‘sources in France have suggested PSG have already made the decision to jettison Pochettino at the end of this season, leaving the way clear for United to appoint the 49-year-old.’

Time to plan now?

It was because no manager was in place that The Red Devils opted not to sign anyone this January, despite being offered and seemingly being in need of additions.

It was for this reason too that options to buy were not inserted into loan moves for Anthony Martial and Donny Van De Beek.

Now, should Manchester United be able to ensure that Pochettino is indeed their next coach lying in wait, they can begin planning for a transfer window and future with the Argentine at the helm, perhaps providing a long term vision that the club has been seriously lacking since the departure of Fergie.

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