Word stemming from the media on Monday evening suggests that Manchester United have been joined in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino by another of European football’s heavyweights.
The outfit in question? Real Madrid.
Links between former Tottenham tactician Pochettino and United have of course been as frequent as they have intense across the season to date.
This comes with those in a position of power at Old Trafford long in the knowledge that a pivotal decision on the club’s next long-term manager will be required upon the conclusion of the campaign.
‘Poch’, in turn, has been widely tipped as the Red Devils’ first choice, despite the altogether hit-and-miss stint currently being endured by the Argentine in France with PSG.
![Man United joined by Spanish giants in Mauricio Pochettino hunt](https://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-1235368170-1024x683.jpg)
Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after chatting with Mauricio Pochettino during the French Ligue 1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain and Olympique Lyonnais at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 19, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
As alluded to above, though, if the latest speculation doing the rounds in the media is anything to go by, then United look unlikely to have it all their own way when it comes to the race to land Pochettino in the summer.
This comes with La Liga giants Real Madrid too understood to be keen on his services.
As per a report from The Daily Mail, amid increasing uncertainty surrounding the future of Carlo Ancelotti, attentions at the Bernabeu have refocused on the man in charge in Paris.
Real are said to have seen an approach for Pochettino turned down last summer, but view it as much more likely that a deal for the former Southampton boss could be struck this time around.
Poch could therefore replace Ancelotti in the dugout in the Spanish capital in 2022/23, should the latter oversee a sub-par close to the campaign.
Manchester United face a battle with Real Madrid in their bid to land Mauricio Pochettino this summer, with doubts emerging over Carlo Ancelotti’s future | @SamiMokbel81_DM https://t.co/O28x2FWhtq
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) February 21, 2022
Mbappe the difference
Interestingly, such reports of course come with PSG and Real Madrid currently halfway through a high-profile two-legged affair on the continent.
A last-gasp strike on the part of Kylian Mbappe proved enough to guide the former beyond the Champions League’s most successful-ever club at the Parc des Princes, setting the stage for a tense Last-16 return leg at the Bernabeu in two weeks’ time.
Just when it looked like we were set for a 0-0 draw, up pops Kylian Mbappe with a bit of absolute magic ?
Big player. Big moment. Advantage PSG.#UCL pic.twitter.com/lqBjnAEPMJ
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 15, 2022
Not only that but, adding yet more spice to the situation is Los Blancos’ ongoing public pursuit of hitman Mbappe’s signature.
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