Man Utd prepared to pay record £42m fee for Spurs manager Pochettino

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is Manchester United’s No.1 choice to become their full-time manager in the summer.

According to The Daily Telegraph Pochettino is being lined up to replace Jose Mourinho, who was sacked earlier this week.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been named caretaker manager until the end of the season while the United board continues its recruitment process for a long-term appointment.

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Argentine Pochettino is the only name on United’s list, says the Telegraph, and the Old Trafford club are prepared to pay Spurs a compensation fee of around £42m - a world record for a manager.

The 46-year-old has also been linked with Real Madrid in recent months and although he is the only manager seriously considered by United the Telegraph says the Red Devils are not ruling anyone in or out at this stage.

Zidane is the fans’ choice

Although Pochettino is the favourite to become Man Utd’s next manager, Zinedine Zidane also appears to still be in the frame for the hotseat.

Spanish newspaper AS reports that the Frenchman is “contemplating an offer” to take over at United in the summer.

Zidane left Real Madrid at the end of May this year just days after leading the Spaniards to a third successive Champions League title. The 46-year-old had been linked with the United job in the months before Mourinho’s sacking and AS says he is “deliberating over the proposal” from Old Trafford.

According to a poll published by The Sun Zidane is the United fans’ choice to be the next permanent manager. In the poll he won 44% of the votes ahead of Pochettino and current United coach Michael Carrick.

Ole takes first training

A day after being named the club’s caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived at United’s Carrington complex this morning to take his first training session.

Sky Sports reports that the Norwegian, who played 11 seasons for the Red Devils, landed in England last night after it was confirmed he would take interim charge of the first-team until the end of the campaign.

Solskjaer’s first match in charge will be against former club Cardiff City on Saturday (5.30pm, live on BT Sport). The 45-year-old previously managed the Welsh side in 2014.

Man Utd next manager betting odds

Prices according to Oddschecker (as of 20 December).

• Mauricio Pochettino: 7/4
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 4/1
• Zinedine Zidane: 4/1
• Massimiliano Allegri: 12/1
• Laurent Blanc: 12/1
• Antonio Conte: 12/1
• Eddie Howe: 14/1
• Nuno Espirito Santo: 20/1
• Diego Simeone: 25/1

Premier League fixtures and TV guide

Friday 21 December

• Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Liverpool (8pm, live on Sky Sports)

Saturday 22 December (3pm unless stated)

• Arsenal vs. Burnley (12.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
• AFC Bournemouth vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
• Chelsea vs. Leicester City
• Huddersfield Town vs. Southampton
• Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
• Newcastle United vs. Fulham
• West Ham United vs. Watford
• Cardiff City vs. Manchester United (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)

Sunday 23 December

• Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur (4pm, live on Sky Sports)