Despite the expected hiring of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager, Manchester United are set to pursue Mauricio Pochettinho as their next permanent manager.
Pochettino, the current manager of Paris Saint-Germain, is still the club’s top target for summer 2022, according to 90min, with Rangnick not being considered for the job beyond the end of the current season.
Rangnick is instead expected to join United as a consultant after the current season ends for a two-year period.
For the time being, 63-year-old Rangnick will take over from first-team coach Michael Carrick, who has been filling in since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired following their defeat at Watford.
Despite Paris Saint-Germain rejecting their initial approaches, sources close to United have confirmed to 90min that they are still interested in signing Pochettino.
According to our sources, PSG will not consider a trade for Pochettino.
Zidane has not worked since leaving Real Madrid in May this year, and his initial idea was to have 12 months away from the game, but now PSG are working hard to convince him to take charge in the French capital.
United themselves had consulted with Zidane’s people in recent weeks, but he made it clear his family would not be keen on a move to England, although the chance to take charge at the Parc Des Princes is a different proposition.
PSG general manager Jean-Claude Blanc is close to Zidane, and he is playing a pivotal role in trying to secure a deal with his friend and the main discussions are over when any deal will begin.
We confirmed earlier this week that PSG’s chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi was far from pleased in the knowledge that Pochettino wanted to join United – but it is understood that the chance to land Zidane has tempered his annoyance.
United are now continuing the pursuit of Pochettino, but the Rangnick appointment does mean that they can wait for the Argentine to finish the current season. Sources believe United would rather secure a deal for Pochettino sooner rather than later.
