Mauricio Pochettino agreed a new deal with Tottenham this morning which will keep him at the club till 2021.
The deal will come as relief to Spurs’ fans – with the Argentine having suspiciously had ‘lunch’ with Sir Alex Ferguson only yesterday – but will be greeted with disappointment from United fans.
The turmoil as to who will take over at Old Trafford if Louis van Gaal were indeed to leave remains, and many Red Devils’ followers here in the Transfer Tavern had tipped Tottenham’s highly rated manager to take the helm at the club next season.
United are still yet to find the rightful heir to the Ferguson throne, with both David Moyes and an unexperienced Ryan Giggs falling short in their albeit brief spells as manager.
Following the recent 3-2 defeat to West Ham – which leaves United needing a near miracle for a 4th placed finish – Dutchman Van Gaal now seems all but set to depart Manchester this summer.
With the Pochettino saga over, heads will almost certainly turn back to former Chelsea and Real Madrid man Jose Mourinho who has been heavily linked with the club all season,
Mourinho has an almost unparalleled record of success, and his appointment would certainly be received fondly. as United have endeavoured to reach their former glories but with little success over the past few years.
If the ‘happy/special’ (i’m not sure which, maybe ‘arrogant’) one is to seal a deal which will take him to Manchester this summer, the appointment will certainly attract a number of player’s to United, including those that Louis van Gaal’s former prodigy at Barcelona has already managed.
Could these FIVE former Mourinho players follow the ex-Inter Milan boss to Old Trafford this summer? The landlord at the Transfer Tavern weighs up the possibilities…….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 MOURINHO OLD BOYS!
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Nemanja Matic
Out of sorts at Chelsea, and quickly falling out of the fan’s good books and down the midfield pecking order at the Bridge; Matic has had a tough season.
The former Benfica man looks a shadow of the player he did last campaign, and has frequently been scapegoated for Chelsea’s poor start to the season, and indeed poor form throughout.
Despite undoubted quality, Mourinho was also one of those quick to criticise the Serbian during his disastrous start to the season, so a move to follow a man who has also deemed publicly him at fault not so long ago seems unlikely.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ever since the young Portuguese star left Old Trafford for Madrid in 2009, there has always been the quiet optimism that the now three times Balon D’or winner would return to his old stomping ground.
Having achieved pretty much all their is to achieve at Madrid – including becoming the club’s top ever scorer with 362 goals – the former Sporting Lisbon man may look for pastures new this summer if Madrid fail to bring home any silverware this season.
Adored and worshipped by the Los Blancos faithful however, it is well known that Ronaldo loves Madrid, and indeed Madrid loves him back. Our landlord thinks it’s a dream too big.
Raphael Varane
Another man managed by Mourinho during his spell at Real Madrid, Varane is still one of the hottest young prospect’s in world football, despite being around for what seems an eternity.
The Frenchman has made 91 appearances for Madrid, and a further 28 for France, and a transfer to United would certainly bring desperately needed experience and quality to a mix and match back four at Old Trafford.
While Chris Smalling is making the centre half position his own, Daley Blind – despite putting in some excellent displays – still looks more comfortable in front of the back four. For the right money, this move could happen.
Arjen Robben
The 32- year-old was heavily linked with a move to United in the January transfer window, but current manager Louis Van Gaal was quick to dismiss the possibility of the dutchman making the switch to Old Trafford.
Robben and Mourinho have kept a good relationship since the pair were together during Mourinho’s first reign at Chelsea.
United are in desperate need of wide players, with Anthony Martial and Juan Mata often playing wide despite not being out and out wingers.
Robben could be United’s marquee summer signing.
Thibaut Courtois
One of the biggest questions this coming transfer window will be whether United fan favourite David De Gea will finally make his proposed switch to Real Madrid, after season after season of speculation.
Los Blancos’ transfer ban was suspended and the club now look free to chase their number one target this summer, and will be more than likely to make United an offer they simply cannot refuse.
Belgian shot stopper Thibaut Courtois has had a rough season at Chelsea, and there has been much speculation here in the Transfer Tavern that the 24-year-old will leave this summer.
If De Gea goes, Courtois comes. Our landlord has his money on it.
