Man Utd's pursuit of Mauricio Pochettino boosted as PSG bow to Zinedine Zidane demand

Manchester United have been given a boost in their hopes of bringing Mauricio Pochettino to Old Trafford as their next permanent manager, with Paris Saint-Germain's continuing to court former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

United will be after a new permanent boss in the summer, when Ralf Rangnick's interim tenure comes to an end, with former Spurs boss Pochettino, Ajax's Erik ten Hag and Leicester City's Brendan Rodgers among the leading contenders.

Former France midfielder Zidane has long been linked with a move to PSG, and such a switch could clear the way for Pochettino to return to the Premier League in the summer.

There have been a few teething problems in the French club's pursuit of Zidane, with sporting director Leonardo thought to be an obstacle, but it looks as though the club are meeting the demands of their prospective new manager.

According to FootMercato (via Get French Football News ), Zidane's attitude towards Leonardo has been considered a potential stumbling block.

However, PSG's owners are reportedly prepared to do whatever it takes to bring in the multiple Champions League winning coach, even if that means parting ways with the sporting director in order to get their man.

FootMercato reports that the Ligue 1 leaders have begun approaching other sporting directors, including Spurs' Fabio Paratici, as a managerial change remains a possibility.

Back in November, Leonardo insisted the club had no plans to ditch Pochettino, but the summer could end up heralding a double change with both men leaving the Parc des Princes.

“We do not want Pochettino to leave,” Leonardo told AFP after reports of contract between PSG and Zidane.

“He never asked to leave and no club contacted us in relation to him.