Man Utd ‘identify Sir Alex's pal Carlo Ancelotti’ as short-term option for next manager

Antonio Conte insists he was never in contention to manage Manchester United this season and has played down claims he did not fit the profile of candidate they were looking to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Mauricio Pochettino has a strict term for Manchester United if he is to agree to become their next manager.The PSG head coach has been one of the top candidates for the role since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking last November.And the possibility of him joining the Red Devils this summer looks more likely than ever after his side collapsed to a 3-2 defeat in the Champions League against Real Madrid. Pochettino is facing the sack which would mean Old Trafford chiefs could swoop and not have to pay the French club compensation.As per the Daily Mail, to get him on board they must first convince him he is their number one choice.They claim Pochettino wants assurances from United that he is top of the pile of their options.So far it has seemed finely balanced between him and Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who has recently begun English lessons and appears keen on the role.The former Tottenham manager is said to searching for a return to England where his family have remained while he has lived in a Paris hotel since January last year. Where would United finish under Pochettino? Let us know in the comments section. Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.

Manchester United.PSG boss Pochettino suffered a huge blow this week as his side were beaten in dramatic fashion to be dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.The Argentine is being linked with the vacant permanent managerial position at Manchester United.With Ralf Rangnick set to move into an upstairs role at the end of the season, several of the biggest names in management are being tipped to take over at Old Trafford.But Pochettino is thought to be one of those at the top of the club's wish list, along with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag.HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Pochettino be a good fit at Man Utd? Comment down belowAccording to The Athletic, Pochettino is showing signs that he is interested in taking over at United.It is claimed that the former Tottenham manager has asked his confidants about life in Manchester and the club structure at United in recent months.United are not thought to see the recent defeat to Real Madrid as too much of an issue with Pochettino, given PSG's history in the Champions League.Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.

Thomas Tuchel has emerged as a possible manager candidate for Manchester United, following the UK government's sanctions against Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich casting doubt over the German's future at Chelsea.

Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.The Croatia hero helped Real Madrid into the Champions League quarter-finals with a stunning comeback win over PSG on Wednesday - with Messi cutting a forlorn figure.Kylian Mbappe's opener on the night meant the home side would need to score twice to force extra-time - but Karim Benzema shouldered responsibility with a 17 minute hat-trick.Messi's night was summed up by the aforementioned clash with a man two years his senior in Modric, who yet again proved himself to be one of the best in Europe.Looking to break following Benzema's first goal, Messi was met side-by-side by Modric who looked to end the counter-attack before it posed real danger.Although many might've accepted a booking after seeing who it was bringing the ball upfield, the 36-year-old bided his time until there was an opportunity to pounce.The former Spurs man then expertly slid the ball into touch while sending Messi flying - with many viewers spotting the reaction of Messi.Having bounced back to his feet, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner made sure not to show any signs of stress, with commentator Glenn Hoddle branding it his best "poker face".

Manchester United managerial candidate Mauricio Pochettino is 'pretty certain' he will leave Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, according to reports.

Your Manchester United evening headlines for Thursday, March 10:

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Paris Saint-Germain should follow Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid blueprint to end their Champions League struggles.

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson insists it will be "absolutely impossible" for Manchester United to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City next season, even with a new manager in place.

News broke this week that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had been sanctioned by the UK government as part of their attempts to crack down on wealthy Russians with assets within the country.

Ralf Rangnick.People still seem seduced by the fact Pochettino rode incredible luck to lead Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, instead of being more alarmed at how it all unravelled for him within six months and ended in the sack.The same thing is now happening in Paris, which leaves United CEO Richard Arnold having to now address one simple question: Is Pochettino qualified to be given the job of rebuilding United to become a major force in football once again?The answer is no.The situation at United is no so bad that Pochettino or Erik ten Hag are in a strong bargaining position should the fallen giants come calling.But this shouldn't happen, because if United are serious about being top dogs again they need a serious manager to help them do it.There will be one in the opposition dugout on Saturday in the shape of Tottenham's Antonio Conte, while Thomas Tuchel's future at Chelsea is now under a huge cloud following the unprecedented events regarding Roman Abramovich's ownership of the world and European champions.United need to think big, because the challenge ahead of them is an enormous one and with Chelsea now on the precipice, the German is there for the taking.And if Pochettino cannot get the better of a mediocre Real Madrid side, despite having the firepower of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at his disposal, then he shouldn't even be in United's thinking at all, let alone be their No.1 choice.When Leeds United found themselves in the financial mire almost two decades ago, it brought out the best in some of their star names.A group of players decided to dip into their own pockets and help fund the cost of travelling to away games.This didn't prevent the Yorkshire club from going into administration

Dimitar Berbatov has warned Manchester United not to necessarily go for the obvious choice in regards to appointing their next permanent manager. Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino remains a favourite for the role and is the popular pick among United players to replace Ralf Rangnick in the summer, with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag also under consideration.

Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watched his daughter, Karna, help United's Women's Under-21s win the 2022 Women's Super League Academy Cup final on Wednesday evening against Birmingham City.

Mauricio Pochettino endured a nightmare evening at the Bernabeu on Wednesday and his hopes of landing the Manchester United job may have been dented in the process. Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain side surrendered a 2-0 aggregate lead to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid as Karim Benzema scored a 17-minute hat-trick in the second leg of the last-16 Champions League tie.

Cristiano Ronaldo was a notable absentee for Manchester United's derby day drubbing at the hands of Manchester City after he jetted off to Portugal.Ronaldo flew to his homeland to rehab an injury - but that trip was unsanctioned by United. According to The Telegraph, Ralf Rangnick was unaware of Ronaldo's decision to fly to Portugal over the weekend of the derby.

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes reportedly had to calm the Portuguese veteran down amid crunch talks over his Manchester United future.Mendes, widely regarded as one of the game's super agents, tried to placate the former Real Madrid and Juventus star after he was axed from United's team to face Manchester City at the weekend.But according to the Sun, Mendes is fighting a losing battle with Ronaldo edging towards an exit from Old Trafford less than a year since his emotional return to the club. The report says the 37-year-old is still angry after being informed by Ralf Rangnick that he would be used as a substitute against City.Rangnick apparently wanted to begin without a recognise no.9 and wanted Ronaldo to make an impact off the bench - an approach that did not go down particularly well with the star.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has downplayed reports touting him as the next Manchester United manager, insisting he ignores speculation over his future.

Marcus Rashford not to quit Manchester United.Rashford is said to be considering his future following a miserable season that has seen him struggle to hold down a place in the United side.The England striker has scored just five goals and started two of the last 11 games in all competitions.Rashford is worried his lack of game time will cost him a place in England's World Cup squad - and is looking at his possible options this summer as he gets set to enter the final 12 months of his current deal at Old Trafford.Former United star Berbatov admits the 24-year-old is right to be considering a change, but believes he needs to think long and hard about turning his back on a club like United."It's understandable that Rashford wants to start games and, if he's still not being picked by the end of the season, I'd expect him to be considering his future at the club," Berbatov told Betfair."But he needs to remember that there will be another manager in charge next season and players who haven't had a look -in under (Ralf) Rangnick will get another chance."So it's a bit too soon for Rashford to be thinking about leaving for another club."Berbatov recalls the time he decided he wanted out of United back in 2012 and made his feelings clear to then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson, which left the Scot less than impressed.He added: "It's disappointing when you are left out. I experienced it and it wasn't pleasant.

Here are your morning headlines for Wednesday, March 9.

Sir Alex Ferguson was harassed by a Manchester City supporter following their side’s dominant victory over Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday. The former Red Devils boss, 80, witnessed his side succumb to a 4-1 loss in East Manchester, before being filmed and mocked outside the stadium.One City fan continually shouted in the Scot’s face as he made his way home, screaming: "Never in my lifetime! City, City, City."The supporter was referencing the words Ferguson made in 2009.When asked if the ‘noisy neighbours’ would ever go into a game with United as favourites, the former Aberdeen boss responded: “What time is it?"I think it's time for me to leave...

Manchester United have been warned they could 'f*** it up all over again' over the future of Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford. Richard Keys, in his blog, wrote: "Rangnick won’t be managing Manchester United next season.