Rooney tells Man Utd board who to appoint as next manager

Manchester United are seeking a new permanent manager at Old Trafford with Wayne Rooney favouring Mauricio Pochettino over Erik ten Hag as the pair continue to be linked with the post

Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United should pursue Mauricio Pochettino as their next permanent manager.

A new man is due to be in the Old Trafford dugout next season as Ralf Rangnick’s interim spell comes to an end. Pochettino, currently at PSG, and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag are seen as the two overwhelming favourites for the role. Rooney believes the former Tottenham man would be better suited to the job, however.

The Argentine played a style of football that captured the imagination whilst in north London. He also backed youth – something that is seen as crucial on the red half of Manchester. Rooney has also called on Pochettino to be given suitable time to implement his ideas if he is appointed.

He said on Sky Sports : “I think Pochettino’s done it in the Premier League, he knows the Premier League. At Tottenham he bought through a lot of young players – the same at Southampton. So if I’m choosing from one of them two I’d go for Pochettino – and give him time.

“Managers now they need time to come in and put their blueprint on the club and the team and given time I think he’ll do well.” He continued: “Pochettino in my opinion is a top manager. He knows how to work with top class players but also with young players. They need to get that blend right because they can’t afford to fail again.”

Pochettino has struggled at PSG and is the latest manager to fail to deliver the long-coveted Champions League trophy. The Argentine will win the Ligue 1 title, though – which would be his first league triumph. He was forced to rebuff rumoured interest from United earlier this season and has constantly reaffirmed his commitment to the Paris project.

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Whoever comes in will have to decide what to do with the current crop of players – many of which have failed to match expectations. Paul Pogba’s contract comes to an end this summer following his £89m return in 2016. And Rooney claims it is now time for the Frenchman to seek pastures new.

He said: “I think it has probably got to a point where it is better to move on. I think if Paul is honest with himself he hasn’t had the impact he’d have liked since he returned. I watch him play for France and it is a completely different player but it hasn’t quite worked for him at Manchester United.

“There hasn’t been a settled manager since Alex Ferguson. So whoever comes in needs to have time, time to build relationships with players.” Pogba has been linked with a return to Juventus as well as Real Madrid and PSG with public admissions from agent Mino Raiola widely criticised.