Sir Alex Ferguson ‘speaks highly of Mauricio Pochettino’

And his qualities have not gone unnoticed by the legendary former United boss, according to Member of Parliament for Tottenham, David Lammy.

The 43-year-old earned a similar reputation in his 18-month stint at Southampton before moving to White Hart Lane in the summer of 2014.

Pochettino has been hugely successful at Spurs this season, and has guided the north London club to second place in the English Premier League soccer table. His side have the best defensive record in the league this season and have lost only three times in 25 games.

“I’m going to let you into a secret”, Lammy said on Tottenham podcast The Spurs Show. “About six weeks ago, I sat next to Alex Ferguson at a dinner in support of grassroots football overseas”. There is a lesson here: don’t be too good too quickly, or you will get raided by a “bigger” club. “Alex Ferguson said that”.

Pochettino is no different, with The Sun claiming that United see the Argentinian as a more long-term solution than José Mourinho, and that Poch’s Mr 15% has already opened talks with Ed Woodward and co.

This revelation will leaves Jose Mourinho front-runner for the United job.

Pochettino’s philosophy of promoting youngsters from the academy rather than signing high-profile players will fit in with the club’s philosophy.

The France number one believes their form is down to the squad and the fact they have young, exciting players who do not know their own limits.

While Louis van Gaal has succeeded in returning the Red Devils to the Champions League, it has come at a huge cost and there are still numerous doubts over whether United are in a fit state to challenge for the league title without further investment or a different manager.