Manchester United approach Mauricio Pochettino about becoming manager

Manchester United have made an approach to former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino about him taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Manchester Evening News reports.

The Norwegian has seen his position as manager come under intense scrutiny following a poor start to the 2020-21 campaign, with Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir piling on the pressure.

And the Red Devils have now apparently made contact with Pochettino's representatives, with the Argentine reportedly keen to take on the role should he be formally offered the job.

Insiders say the United hierarchy were privately backing Solskjaer prior to Wednesday night's shambolic Champions League defeat by Istanbul Basaksehir and are reluctant to part company with the Norwegian so early in the season. But if United lose at Everton on Saturday they could end the weekend 17th in the Premier League table.

United have lost three of their six league games already this term and have not lost four of their first seven in a league campaign since 1989-90. The trip to Everton is United's last game for two weeks due to the November internationals; a period that has become synonymous with top-flight sackings.

Pochettino declared his intention to return to a managerial role during an appearance on Monday Night Football this week. 

I am always ready to go again and be involved in the game, Pochettino said.

It's not stress when you are working, it's not stress going into the training round to prepare the match and to compete. I hope to go back soon so we can start again to work. I am looking forward to being back in the game. I love this game but it's difficult, we are inside and working on doing things. That's the reality.

Pochettino, 48, left Spurs after five-and-a-half years last November.

United lined up Solskjaer to replace Jose Mourinho as caretaker manager in mid-October 2018 - two months before United dismissed the Portuguese on December 18.

Mourinho was sounded out by United four months before he replaced Louis van Gaal and the Dutchman was contacted weeks prior to David Moyes' dismissal.

Moyes and Van Gaal were jettisoned after United failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2014 and 2016. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward decided in the aftermath of the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool Mourinho had to go, with United 11 points adrift of the final Champions League qualifying place after 17 matches

The earliest United have sacked a post-war manager is Ron Atkinson, who departed on November 6 1986.