Manchester United players should not expect fresh start if Mauricio Pochettino becomes manager

It has been a gruesome season for most of the Manchester United squad.

From faltering Marcus Rashford performances to public disputes with Anthony Martial, it has been a campaign many in the United dressing room will want to forget sooner rather than later. Early exits in the Carabao and FA Cup followed by Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid meant that even away from the bread and butter of the league there has been no solace.

Club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November following an embarrassment at Watford to be replaced by Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis. Initial form was solid without troubling the good bracket but as the season dragged on, it has become clear that breaking into the top four is going to be a tough ask.

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Saturday's draw with Leicester City looks to have extinguished any lingering hopes of a Champions League spot next season and with Tottenham Hotspur cruising to victory over Newcastle United on Sunday, United look destined for Thursday night football. The truly disappointing thing is that the draw at home to the Foxes was a point gained on the balance of the game.

If not for some David de Gea heroics, Wesley Fofana's header would have caused United to suffer back-to-back defeats. The Spaniard is the only player who can look back at this season with any remote fondness.

As most of us head off on our summer holidays this year, we will have the luxury of trying to forget this torrid season. But if Manchester United appoint Mauricio Pochettino, the players will not be afforded such luxury.

MEN Sport understands that Erik ten Hag is the preferred candidate to take over at Old Trafford and he is