Steve McManaman claims Mauricio Pochettino could use Man United as a stepping stone to Real Madrid

Steve McManaman thinks Mauricio Pochettino’s potential move to Manchester United would be calculated – claiming the Argentine boss would use it as a stopgap to becoming the Real Madrid manager.

The Paris Saint-Germain boss is under pressure to win the Champions League this season and failure to do so could see him leave the Ligue 1 giants in the summer.

Therefore, Manchester United have registered their interest in hiring Pochettino as their full-time manager after interim boss Ralf Rangnick supposedly moves upstairs.

However, Pochettino has also been linked with the Real Madrid job as the LaLiga giants are said to be considering him as a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.  

The Argentine coach has never hidden his desire to one day sit on the white bench, but McManaman thinks Pochettino will move to Manchester United first.

He thinks Pochettino’s arrival in Manchester would strengthen the Red Devils and provide the club with some well-needed stability. However, McManaman says the 50-year-old’s reason behind joining United would be calculated. 

Speaking to Horseracing.net, McManaman said: ‘I think he would strengthen Manchester United, but anybody would at the moment. 

He has been linked with a move to Manchester United to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick

Steven McManaman says he will only take the United job as a stepping stone to Real Madrid

‘I don’t mean that disrespectfully. They’re all over the place. They need to appoint ‘a manager’ – and I’m not saying it’s Pochettino – and give them a little bit of strength and a little bit of stability.

‘I feel sorry for [Ralf] Rangnick coming in because with this ‘interim appointment’ to the end of the season and then him going upstairs. 

‘There are so many uncertainties that they’ve weakened his case as a manager. The way it’s been handled has been shambolic. 

‘If it was Poch, if it was Erik ten Hag, it would strengthen Manchester United’s case, the way they are. It’s just been a mess, really, and very unbecoming of them. 

‘I think they’ll be better regardless. Pochettino is a great manager. He’d suit Manchester United down to the ground and then he could probably aim for Real Madrid later down the line.’ 

Real Madrid are said to be eyeing Pochettino as a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti 

Ralf Rangnick was placed in interim charge of United following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November. 

However, United have continued to struggle for consistency and their most recent defeat to Manchester City has raised questions over the productivity of the players under the Rangnick. 

Therefore, United would like to bring Pochettino back to the Premier League after he expressed a willingness to leave PSG for the English top-flight.