Manchester United won the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon but the question marks surrounding the future of boss Erik ten Hag continue.
United had to shut out all the speculation and all the rumours heading into Saturday’s FA Cup final clash with Manchester City.
Despite whispers surrounding the potential sacking of Ten Hag, United turned in arguably the best performance of the season.
Talk about saving the best for last; United ended the season with a 2-1 victory at Wembley Stadium and a 13th FA Cup added to the honours list.
The last 24 hours have all been about celebration, appreciating the displays of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, appreciating Raphael Varane’s final appearance for the club, appreciating Ten Hag for – let’s have it right – a tactical masterclass against Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City.
Yet once the dust has settled and the champagne bottles have run dry, Ten Hag’s future will again come into focus – and the reports are already starting up again.
Manchester United hold Mauricio Pochettino talks
United players and staff are probably still celebrating Saturday’s victory but the rumour mill continues to churn.
The Telegraph now report that United have held talks with the representatives of Mauricio Pochettino with Ineos showing a firm interest in him.
Pochettino was headline news just a few days ago as Chelsea made the shock decision to part ways with the Argentinian.
Now out of work, United have spoken to Pochettino’s camp in an attempt to gauge his interest in a move to Old Trafford.
The report highlights that Pochettino attended the birthday party of Ineos chief Sir Dave Brailsford earlier this year.
Brailsford and Ineos have previously tried to bring Pochettino to Nice, but weren’t able to get a deal done.
There is clearly at least some form of admiration from Ineos towards Pochettino and his unexpected availability has given United a chance to strike a deal.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank is also understood to be a target for United with his representatives approached in recent days.
The Dane has impressed as Bees boss but Pochettino’s experience with bigger clubs may well be appealing to Ineos and United.
Sir Alex Ferguson has also given his backing to Pochettino in the past, praising him as ‘fantastic’ following his work at Tottenham Hotspur.
Thomas Tuchel thinks he’s got the job
The report adds that United have ‘sounded out representatives’ of Thomas Tuchel with the German’s time at Bayern Munich coming to an end.
However, United are understood to have reservations over whether Tuchel is really the right man for the job.
Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 but endured a difficult time with Bayern, failing to win the Bundesliga title.
The former Chelsea boss has Premier League experience, knows how to manage big clubs and has previously taken on Pep Guardiola to a high level.
That isn’t to be sniffed at and these latest reports seem rather mixed.
United allegedly aren’t sure about Tuchel according to The Telegraph, but The Mirror state that Tuchel thinks he has landed the United job.
They state that Tuchel believes that he will become the new United boss this summer with even Bayern believing that he is Old Trafford-bound.
These reports offering conflicting information but with Tuchel and Pochettino both being heavily linked, there is a chance that United end up replacing Ten Hag with a former Chelsea manager.