This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Manchester United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under increasing pressure.
The Norwegian has struggled throughout the opening stages of the season and, as we approach Christmas, United are at risk of being cut adrift in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
They currently sit 10th, eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, with games against Spurs and Manchester City looming. Chelsea’s next two are against Aston Villa and Everton; it is not inconceivable to imagine that they could be 14 points clear of United come Monday.
One has to wonder then about the hesitation to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as manager.
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He is available after his sacking by Spurs and would instantly improve the managerial nous currently on offer at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer’s game plan often consisting of pace and not a lot else.
Indeed, the question can be asked as to why United opted against trying to lure him in the summer, especially with The Manchester Evening News reporting on Tuesday that he wanted the job when Jose Mourinho was sacked in December 2018.
Pochettino had made noises about quitting if his side won the Champions League final against Liverpool and even suggested he might walk away if they didn’t.
The benefit of hindsight is that it is 20-20 but, still, the opportunity for United was there. Spurs lost and Pochettino stayed, overseeing a poor start to the season in north London.
It could have been different if United had made a push, had attempted to convince him to leave on a high, having navigated Spurs to their first-ever Champions League showpiece. That they didn’t win is immaterial; a new project could have energised and focused the Argentine.
Solskjaer didn’t actually end the season in brilliant form, either, with United going five games without a win, including a 1-1 draw with already relegated Huddersfield Town and a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City, also now a Championship club. His removal would not have been questioned.
It is ironic that, if Spurs beat United, reports suggest Solskjaer is likely to move onto borrowed time. The axe could fall if they then lose to City this weekend which, let’s be honest, is very likely.
Pochettino could then get the call, the signal of the Argentine beamed into the December air in Manchester, and he may well end up in the dugout sooner rather than later.
He will face a rebuilding job much like the one he undertook at Spurs and it isn’t going to be easy.
One has to say that he should have been given a head start; he should have been appointed in the summer.
Meanwhile, Spurs and United’s clash will be settled by one key battle.