Ferguson's decade-old Pochettino endorsement resurfaces as Man United weigh managerial change

Manchester United’s hierarchy met on Wednesday to decide the future of manager Michael Carrick, with Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the frontrunner to take charge at Old Trafford — a move that would fulfil an endorsement Sir Alex Ferguson made nearly a decade ago.

United currently sit inside the relegation zone following a disastrous start to the season. Despite mounting pressure, Carrick took training on Wednesday morning as Ineos and the Glazer family weighed their options following a summit in Monaco.

Ferguson’s admiration for Pochettino dates to 2016, when the legendary Scot spoke glowingly of the Argentine’s work at Tottenham Hotspur. “Well the manager has been fantastic,” Ferguson said at the time. “They have a bad record of managers, there is no doubt about that. They have had so many over the years, but this lad has composure. You never see him ruffled and the way his team play is a testimony to the work he is doing.”

Ferguson was particularly struck by Pochettino’s willingness to trust young players. “The most important thing for English football is how many English and young players are in his team,” he added. “He understands the advantage of playing young people. They won’t let you down and they have been fantastic.”

The two men have maintained a friendly relationship since their time at League Managers Association dinners, and Pochettino previously met Ferguson for lunch in London.

Appointing Pochettino would not be straightforward. The 52-year-old recently signed a new contract with the United States national team running through to the 2030 World Cup, meaning United would owe compensation to the US Soccer Federation should they move to bring him in.

Pochettino has been linked with the Old Trafford role on multiple occasions since 2018, having also managed Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea since his celebrated spell at Spurs. If United’s hierarchy sanction a change, they would be turning to a manager Ferguson identified as the right fit for the club long before the current crisis took hold.