Manchester United players want Mauricio Pochettino as next manager

There is growing support among Manchester United players for Mauricio Pochettino to become the next manager, with the club intensifying their process now Ed Woodward has left.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Pochettino was prepared to join United mid-season and his position at the Ligue 1 champions could become untenable if they are eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16.

The Manchester Evening News reported last month United are determined to hire their next permanent manager before the end of the season and Pochettino is believed to be the most popular pick among the players. The club is also understood to be confident of hiring Pochettino due to his long-standing interest in managing United.

The former Tottenham manager is still in touch with United left-back Luke Shaw, whom Pochettino managed at Southampton, and his body of work in the Premier League has impressed several United players.

United explored the possibility of releasing Pochettino from his PSG contract in November but a source familiar with discussions said the Qatari-owned club 'played hardball'.

Pochettino held out for the United job during his 13 months out of work after he left Tottenham and although the club made an informal approach, they stuck by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Multiple sources have confirmed new chief executive Richard Arnold will not be heavily involved in football matters but he would have to request sign-off on any managerial appointment from co-chairman Joel Glazer.

Ajax coach Erik ten Hag is still under consideration and believed to be Pochettino's main rival. Both coaches are contracted to their current clubs until next year.

There were developments in United's process to settle on Solskjaer's full-time successor in