Former Man United player backs Mauricio Pochettino as 'ideal' manager choice

Former Manchester United star Gary Pallister has backed Mauricio Pochettino as the “ideal” choice to become the club’s new manager.

Pochettino remains one of the frontrunners as United look to make a permanent appointment this summer, with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag also one of the favourites.

United are looking to make a decision before the end of the season.

And, amid reports in France suggesting Pochettino could leave Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine may well have the edge over Ten Hag having been considered for the job in the past.

United’s players are understood to favour the former Spurs boss, while Ten Hag is thought to be more in line with current interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who is set to move into a consultancy role at the end of the season.

Pallister though has thrown his weight behind Pochettino, having wanted to see him handed the reins at Old Trafford much earlier.

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“I was an advocate of Pochettino after Jose [Mourinho] was sacked and I think he ticks a lot of the boxes," Pallister told Squawka.

“If I’m honest I don’t know an awful lot about Ten Hag, but I’ve seen Pochettino manage here.

“He had an instant impact with Southampton and an instant impact with Tottenham.

“He created the best Tottenham side I’ve seen since the days of Glenn Hoddle, Steve Perryman, Pat Jennings and the like.

“A lot has been said about Tottenham having a weak underbelly and I believe he