Mauricio Pochettino would rather join Premier League rival instead of Man Utd

Manchester United managerial target Mauricio Pochettino is keen to return to the Premier League but would rather take back the reins at old club Tottenham, according to reports.

The Argentine is one of the leading contenders to succeed Ralf Rangnick in the Old Trafford hotseat in the summer, with Pochettino potentially taking over fresh from landing the first league title of his career with runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG.

Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag is also extremely highly rated by United’s board, while a surprising report emerged last week linking Carlo Ancelotti with the job.

Pochettino is believed to be United’s preferred choice, however, with the 50-year-old having enormous Premier League experience thanks to his time at Southampton and Spurs.

The former Espanyol boss infamously failed to win any trophies with Spurs but came close in multiple Cup competitions, leading the side to the Champions League final, while he also oversaw Tottenham’s record points tally in the Premier League.

Now talkSPORT claim Pochettino is secretly pining for a return to north London over a move to United, with the Argentine having previously suggested he has unfinished business at Spurs.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has remained on good terms with Pochettino despite sacking him in 2019 and even tried to bring him back to the club last summer.

In the end, PSG activated a clause in his contract that extended his stay by a further year while Spurs appointed Nuno Espirito Santo – who was sacked a few months later and replaced by Antonio Conte.

Although the Italian has overseen an upturn in performances compared to Nuno’s time in charge, he has openly questioned his future at the club and it would be of little surprise if Spurs were looking